UK’s Prime Minister steps up fight on anti-Semitism

“Anyone guilty of that [anti-Semitism] will be called out on it, British Prime Minister Theresa May stated.

United Kingdom’s Prime Minister Theresa May announced that her government will officially adopt a working definition of anti-Semitism, which includes attacks against Israel, while saying it was “disgusting” that anti-Semitic views are found in British politics.

“It is unacceptable that there is anti-Semitism in this country. It is even worse that incidents are reportedly on the rise. As a government, we are making a real difference and adopting this measure is a ground-breaking step,” May said in a private lunch of the Conservative Friends of Israel.

“It means there will be one definition of anti-Semitism – in essence, language or behavior that displays hatred towards Jews because they are Jews – and anyone guilty of that will be called out on it.”

The working definition of anti-Semitism was developed in May by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), an intergovernmental organization backed by 31 countries.

The IHRA defines anti-Semitism as a “certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of anti-Semitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”

Having a clear definition will make it easier for political leaders to root out anti-Semitism, which is sometimes obscured by debates over what constitutes anti-Jewish language,. While the definition isn’t legally binding, it can be adopted by universities and other institutions that are struggling with this issue.

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In her remarks, May also slammed the Labour Party for the increase in anti-Semitism in its ranks under the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn, who has also been accused of harboring anti-Semitic and anti-Israel views of his own.

A British parliamentary committee report in October said that Corbyn does not fully comprehend “the distinct nature of contemporary anti-Semitism” and suggested that the party is “institutionally anti-Semitic.”

“It is disgusting that these twisted views are being found in British politics,” May said, adding that “of course, I am talking mainly about the Labour Party and their hard-left allies.”

Calling Israel an inherently racist country or making comparisons between Israel and Nazi Germany would be considered anti-Semitic under that definition.

A spokesman for Corbyn said in a statement that he fully supports the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism.

“Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour Party share the view that language or behavior that displays hatred towards Jews is anti-Semitism and is as repugnant and unacceptable as any other form of racism. We agree with the IHRA ‘working definition” of anti-Semitism.

Earlier this month, Home Secretary Amber Rudd promised to spend millions to provide security guards for all Jewish schools, institutions and synagogues in the country.

The Community Security Trust, a British organization that monitors and records anti-Semitic incidents, has recorded an alarming rise in anti-Semitic attacks and incidents during the first six months of 2016.

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Jonathan Arkush, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, “warmly welcomed” the prime minister’s decision.

“With anti-Semitism on the rise, it has become essential to have a clear definition against which to assess attitudes that are or may be racist,” he stated.

By: JNS.org and World Israel News Staff