Paris adopts IHRA controversial definition of anti-Semitism
Paris (QNN)- The city of Paris adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of anti-Semitism on Thursday, making it the first capital city in the world to adopt the definition officially.
According to a statement by the Israeli Embassy in France, the adoption was taken by the Council of Paris, consisting of 163 councilors and headed by Anne Hidalgo.
Merci @fszpiner d'avoir initié à @mairiedu16 et au Conseil de Paris le voeu de l'IHRA. Grâce à vous, Paris est la 1ère capitale à reconnaitre la définition opérationnelle de l'antisémitisme. Votre courage politique s'inscrit incontestablement dans l'action de Claude Goasguen. 👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/mjcqJwvwGj
— Ambassade d'Israël en France (@IsraelenFrance) February 5, 2021
Nous saluons le 🗳 du Conseil de Paris à l'initiative du @GpeChangerParis adoptant la définition de @TheIHRA qui établit le lien entre la haine d'🇮🇱 & l'antisémitisme. Merci @Anne_Hidalgo & aux groupes qui ont soutenu ce vote essentiel pour le combat contre la haine et le boycott pic.twitter.com/PyKKOTaWiB
— Ambassade d'Israël en France (@IsraelenFrance) February 4, 2021
The IHRA definition has been formally adopted by the governments of the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Hungary, the United States, the European Parliament and more than 30 other countries.
However, the IHRA definition includes problematic examples of antisemitism that have been criticised by human rights groups as well as some liberal Zionist organisations.
Some of the most controversial examples of antisemitism provided by the IHRA include banning anyone from “applying double standards by requiring of Israel a behaviour not expected or demanded of any other democratic nation”.
Another example presented in the IHRA definition: “Denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, eg, by claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor.”
The definition is simply designed to silence criticism of ‘Israel’ and of Zionism by equating this criticism with antisemitism.
