Adoption of the Working Definition

The following countries have adopted the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism (as of June 2020):

• Argentina
• Austria
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Canada
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Israel
• Italy
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Moldova
• The Netherlands
• North Macedonia
• Romania
• Serbia
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• United Kingdom
• Uruguay

ENDORSEMENT OF THE WORKING DEFINITION

• In 2014, the Swiss Federal President Didier Burkhalter, as OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, said the Working Definition is, “a useful document for governments and civil society in explaining how anti-Zionism is frequently a mask for antisemitism, and Jewish communities are often targets for anti-Israel animus.”1
• On the occasion of International Holocaust Remembrance Day 2017, European Justice Commissioner Vera Jourová said, “We will make the IHRA definition available on our website dedicated to the fight against Antisemitism.”2
• In June 2017, the European Parliament recommended use of the Working Definition in its resolution on antisemitism.
• In September 2018, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said, “I wish to acknowledge the efforts of the 31 member countries of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance to agree on a common definition of antisemitism. Such a definition can serve as a basis for law enforcement, as well as preventive policies.”3
• In December 2018, the Council of the European Union adopted a declaration on combating antisemitism, which included a call on member states which have not yet done so to adopt the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism.4
• In January 2019, U.S. President Donald J. Trump signed the Combating European Antisemitism Act of 2017 into law. This act, first introduced by Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY) in January 2017, outlines how combating antisemitism is in the national interest of the United States and encourages adoption by national and multinational government institutions of the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism.5
• On February 19, 2019, French President Emmanuel Macron called on France to adopt the IHRA Working Definition. “For the first time in many years, antisemitism is killing people again in France,” said Macron, adding that French authorities “did not know how to react effectively.”

 

1 Swiss OSCE Chairmanship concluding statement. OSCE Switzerland 2014. https://www.osce.org/ odihr/126710?download=true.

2 “Speech of Commissioner Jourová at the occasion of International Holocaust Remembrance Day.” 24 January 2017. European Commission. https://ec.europa.eu/commission/commissioners/2014-2019/jourova/ announcements/speech-commissioner-jourova-occasion-international-holocaust-remembrance-day_en.

3 Antisemitism Rising Even in Countries with No Jews at All, Secretary-General Tells Event on Power of Education to Counter Racism, Discrimination.” United Nations Secretary General Statements and Messages. SG/SM/19252-RD/1022, 26 September 2018. https://www.un.org/press/en/2018/sgsm19252.doc.htm.

4 25 IHRA members are EU member states. In November 2018, IHRA membership increased to 32 countries.

5 H.R.672 - Combating European Antisemitism Act of 2017. 115th Congress (2017-2018). https://www. congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/672.