Agenda item

Motion on Notice

Motion from Councillor Sean McDonald - Definition of Anti-semitism

 

To consider a Motion on Notice, submitted by the Proper Officer on behalf of Councillor Sean McDonald, detailed as item 13.

Minutes:

Before the Committee was a report by the Director of Communities, which had been circulated to all members and a copy of which is attached to the signed version of these minutes.

 

The motion was proposed by Councillor Sean McDonald and seconded by Councillor Lionel Harman.

 

An amendment to the wording of the motion had been circulated prior to the meeting and was proposed by Councillor Helen Silman and seconded by Councillor Sean McDonald.

 

The motion, as amended, was approved unanimously.

 

Resolved,

 

That Worthing Borough Council adopts the following definition of anti-semitism developed by The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance.

 

“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.”

 

To guide International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance  in its work, the following examples may serve as illustrations:

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 anti-Semitic. 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:

 

Calling for, aiding, or justifying the killing or harming of Jews in the name of a radical ideology or an extremist view of religion.

Making mendacious, dehumanizing, demonizing, or stereotypical allegations about Jews as such or the power of Jews as a collective – such as, especially but not exclusively, the myth about a world Jewish conspiracy or of Jews controlling the media, economy, government or other societal institutions.

Accusing Jews as a people of being responsible for real or imagined wrongdoing committed by a single Jewish person or group, or even for acts committed by non-Jews.

Denying the fact, scope, mechanisms (eg gas chambers) or intentionality of the genocide of the Jewish people at the hands of National Socialist Germany and its supporters and accomplices during World War 2 (the Holocaust)

 

Accusing the Jews as a people, or Israel as a state, of inventing or exaggerating the Holocaust.

Accusing Jewish citizens of being more loyal to Israel, or to the alleged priorities of Jews worldwide, than to the interests of their own nations.

Denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, eg., by claiming that the existence of a  State of Israel is a racist endeavour.

Applying double standards by requiring of it a behaviour not expected or demanded of any other democratic nation.

Using the symbols and images associated with classic antisemitism (eg. Claims of Jews killing Jesus or blood libel) to characterise Israel or Israelis.

 Drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis.

 Holding Jews collectively responsible for actions of the State of Israel.

 

 

Supporting documents: