Richmond Coun. Alexa Loo is asking city council to adopt a definition of antisemitism that was the subject of some controversy last month at Vancouver city council.
The non-legally binding “working definition” was created by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), and reads “Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews.”
It further continues, saying “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.”
A similar motion was brought forward by a Vancouver city councillor, Sarah Kirby-Yung, in November.
But, according to Vancouver Coun. Pete Fry, the definition was opposed by Independent Jewish Voices, which sent in an email with 1,300 signatures.
In their letter, Independent Jewish Voices say the Palestinian Youth Movement, Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East, the Canadian Arab Institute, the BC Civil Liberties Association, the Canadian Association of University Teachers and several other organizations oppose the definition.
“It intentionally conflates anti-Semitism with criticism of Israel and Zionism, and support for Palestinian rights,” the letter said. “The adoption of the IHRA definition poses a threat to academic freedom, freedom of expression and the right to protest Israel’s violations of international law.
Examples of antisemitism cited after the definition include “manifestation… targeting the state of Israel, conceived as a Jewish collectivity.” But it further clarifies that “criticism of Israel similar to that leveled against any other country cannot be regarded as antisemitic.”
However, in October, a U.N. report called the “adoption, promotion and implementation” by various states of this definition of antisemitism as being a “politically motivated instrumentalization of the fight against antisemitism.”
Loo’s motion further suggests the motion be shared with the RCMP, Richmond Public Library and the board of education for their “review and consideration as an additional practical and educational tool… in identifying antisemitism.”
The motion will come to council's general purposes committee meeting on Dec. 19.
- With files from Mike Howell/VIA
