The Working Definition of Antisemitism by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA): A Critical Reply

In 2017, a majority in the European Parliament has adopted a “working definition of Antisemitism”. It is based on a definition prepared by the International Holocaust Remembrance Association (IHRA). The present article analyzes conceptual problems as well as political consequences of this definition. Among the conceptual problems is the insistence that Antisemitism is a perception rather than a prejudice. Maybe even more important is the widening of the customary definition to include as objects not only "Jews" but also "Jewish" property and community institutions. The widening of the definition’s scope leads up to explicitly naming and including the state of Israel as a possible object of Antisemitic manifestations. This is not surprising, given the fact that the drafting of the working definition was supported by a secretariat of the European Jewish Congress, an organization devoted "to promote a balanced European policy towards Israel". In practice, this has led to “Israel-based Antisemitism” becoming the major component in what is now seen as the “New Antisemitism”. Especially since the state of Israel defines itself as a "Jewish state", every objection to this concept may be seen as Antisemitic, according to the IHRA definition. Meanwhile, the expanded definition of Antisemitism promulgated by the European Parliament has been adopted by a number of European governments (e.g. Austria, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Romania, and the United Kingdom). As one of the political consequences the German government has not only followed suit but has also appointed a special Commissioner on Antisemitism. This commissioner has already intervened in a number of cases against conferences or expositions critical of policies of the present government of Israel.