Minutes:
The following items of urgent business were raised –
Members noted that the Celebrating our People Awards would be taking place on 30 September 2020.
Members noted the resolution of the Court of Common Council to the Establishment Committee regarding the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition on Anti-Semitism.
RESOLVED – that the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism, including the following agreed working examples, be adopted within the Officers’ Code of Conduct as an annex.
IHRA Definition of Anti-Semitism
“Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”
IHRA Working Examples
Manifestations might include
the targeting of the state of Israel, conceived as a Jewish
collectivity. However, criticism of
Israel similar to that levelled against any other country cannot be
regarded as antisemitic. Antisemitism frequently charges Jews with
conspiring to harm humanity, and it is often used to blame Jews for
“why things go wrong.” It is expressed in speech,
writing, visual forms and action, and employs sinister stereotypes
and negative character traits.
Contemporary examples of antisemitism in public life, the media,
schools, the workplace, and in the religious sphere could, taking
into account the overall context, include, but are not limited
to:
Antisemitic acts are
criminal when they are so defined by
law (for example, denial of the Holocaust or distribution of
antisemitic materials in some countries).
Criminal acts are antisemitic when the targets of
attacks, whether they are people or property – such as
buildings, schools, places of worship and cemeteries – are
selected because they are, or are perceived to be, Jewish or linked
to Jews.
Antisemitic discrimination is the denial to Jews of
opportunities or services available to others and is illegal in
many countries.