Council to adopt International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of antisemitism

Deputy mayor Coun Glyn Jones said the council will be taking on the The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition of antisemitism.

He said the council would take heed of calls from local government minister Robert Jenrick for all councils to adopt the working definition.

The organisation’s defines antisemitism as a ‘certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews’.

It also adds that antisemitism is also ‘accusing the Jews as a people, or Israel as a state, of inventing or exaggerating the Holocaust’.

Denying Jewish people their right to self-determination, such as claims the existence of a state of Israel is a ‘racist endeavor’ is also listed.

The IHRA was set up in 1998 with an aim to ‘unite governments and experts to strengthen, advance and promote Holocaust education, research and remembrance’.

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Deputy major Coun Jones said: “Following the announcement from Robert Jenrick, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Doncaster Council will be formally adopting the required International Holocaust Rememberance Alliance definition of anti-semitism at the earliest opportunity.

“I will be looking at Doncaster Council endorsing other policies to tackle racism, hate crime and discrimination.”

Conservative members on DMBC lodged a question around the council adopting the IHRA definition but this was received after the deadline.

Bessacarr Coun Nick Allen, added: “‘I am delighted Doncaster Council will be adopting the IHRA definition of antisemitism and this announcement is a positive move for Doncaster.

“I am pleased we appear to have avoided some of the unpleasantness which has affected other local authorities when turning the IHRA working definition into policy.

“There is no place for antisemitism, or any other form of bigoted prejudice, in our borough. I am pleased Doncaster Council will adopt the IHRA following commitments made by the Secretary of State.”