The IHRA definition is used throughout the world. Why not here?
By Iris Altschuler and Leslie R. Felner
Article Originally Published by The Star-Ledger
As we work to counter the alarming rise of antisemitism in New Jersey, we must first be able to define it.
The best way is to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of the term, one recognized by more than 43 countries, 35 US states, and 1,000 global organizations (half the country) and use it to enforce anti-discrimination laws.
It is a simple process, and all it requires is legislative action. That’s why we encourage the Senate to vote on S-1292, a bill that adopts the IHRA definition and represents a significant step toward ensuring the safety of New Jersey’s Jewish community.
The IHRA definition makes a clear distinction between legitimate criticism of Israel and its government and overt antisemitism – such as hateful statements, conspiracy theories about Jews, Holocaust denial, holding Jews collectively responsible for the actions of Israel, and harmful anti-Zionist rhetoric that denies Israel’s right to exist and the right to self-determination for Jewish people.
Hatred towards the Jewish people dates back to ancient times. Yet today, antisemitism is approaching crisis levels – across New Jersey and across the world. According to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), incidents in 2023 increased 140%, with a 360% increase in the months following Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel. In New Jersey, this increase has been particularly acute, with 830 antisemitic attacks reported in 2023, the third highest number of incidents per state in the country.
Antisemitism takes many forms, including physical acts of violence against Jews, attacks on places of worship, conspiracy theories that blame Jews for nearly all of society’s ills, and efforts to exclude Jews in workplace and social settings. In recent years, inflammatory anti-Zionist rhetoric has become a way for some people to mask antisemitic comments and actions. Such language is used to deny the Jewish people’s right to self-determination and delegitimize the state of Israel. It can also perpetuate false accusations about Jews and Israelis.
These acts of antisemitism deeply affect people’s lives. Jews fear for their safety, their children’s safety, and are marginalized every day by biased comments made by colleagues, neighbors and sometimes hostile protestors. Many are afraid to speak out in the face of the current misinformation and hatred.
That’s why it is important to ensure that we define antisemitism in a way that captures its core dangers.
The legislation, which passed a key Senate committee late last month, is supported by a bipartisan group of legislators, and the definition would be applied during the investigation of antisemitic acts in New Jersey.
The IHRA definition and its 11 contemporary examples is the most widely used and comprehensive definition available to governments, educational authorities and civil society. Just this year, Georgia, South Dakota, Indiana and South Carolina joined 31 other states, including New York, in leveraging this widely used definition.
While critics of this definition have argued that it will limit First Amendment rights, that has not been an issue in the other places. Unfortunately, we know that people will continue to believe and say antisemitic things no matter what. Adopting this definition will not limit critiques, opinions or speech. It will, however, allow us to clearly name those actions that are antisemitic and help protect civil rights.
During this time of growing hate, it is more important than ever that New Jersey lawmakers move this bill without delay. Never again means we must act now.
Leslie Felner is President of Hadassah Northern New Jersey, and a resident of Fair Lawn. Iris Altschuler is the President of Hadassah Southern New Jersey and a resident of Monroe Township. Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, is the largest women’s Zionist organization in the US, with almost 22,000 members in New Jersey.