IHRA Non-legally binding working definition of antisemitism

“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.” <Source>

The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance unites governments and experts to strengthen, advance and promote Holocaust education, research and remembrance and to uphold the commitments to the 2000 Stockholm Declaration.

The IHRA’s network of trusted experts share their knowledge on early warning signs of present-day genocide and education on the Holocaust. This knowledge supports policymakers and educational multipliers in their efforts to develop effective curricula, and it informs government officials and NGOs active in global initiatives for genocide prevention.  

Antisemitism is a stereotypical and negative perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred of Jews. It is prejudice, bias, hostility, discrimination, or violence against Jews for being Jews or Jewish institutions or property for being Jewish or perceived as Jewish.

Antisemitism can manifest as a form of racial, religious, national origin, and/or ethnic discrimination, bias, or hatred; or, a combination thereof. However, antisemitism is not simply a form of prejudice or hate. It is also a pernicious conspiracy theory that often features myths about Jewish power and control.

There are several definitions of antisemitism, which serve as valuable tools to raise awareness and increase understanding of antisemitism. The most prominent is the non-legally binding “working definition” of antisemitism adopted in 2016 by the 31-member states of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), which the United States has embraced. In addition, the Administration welcomes and appreciates the Nexus Document and notes other such efforts.

[OCS: By including alternate definitions and interpretations of anti-Semitism, Biden provides a loophole to excuse the anti-Semitic behavior in his party, Congress, and, worst of all, the United Nations. It should be noted that the Biden document did not include the examples from the IHRA work but included the more liberal interpretation developed at the University of Southern California.]

Together, we must acknowledge and confront the reality that antisemitism is rising, both at home and abroad. Loud voices are normalizing this venom, but we must never allow it to become normal. Antisemitism threatens not only the Jewish community, but all Americans. People who peddle these antisemitic conspiracy theories and fuel racial, ethnic, and religious hatred against Jews also target other communities—including Black and brown Americans; Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders; LGBTQI+ individuals; Muslim Americans; women and girls; and so many others.

[OCS: Once again, Biden refuses to address the issue of anti-Semitism without diluting the issue by referring to other, less prevalent, hate crimes often involving the same groups (Black Supremacists and Muslims) which perpetrate the majority of anti-Semitic hate crimes or are the most virulent source of hate speech. The disparate impact of hate crime on Jews should be noted where 63% of all hate crimes are committed against Jews while Jews are only 2% of the population.] 

Our intelligence agencies have determined that domestic terrorism rooted in white supremacy—including antisemitism—is the greatest terrorist threat to our Homeland today.

[OCS: While white supremacists tend to be anti-Semitic, they represent a tiny population in the United States and are significantly less active than Black Supremacists and Muslims. It appears that former President Obama's acolytes are advancing the idea of white supremacy as a national threat to take scrutiny off Black Supremacists and Muslims.]

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The Nexus Document

Understanding Antisemitism At Its Nexus With Israel And Zionism

This definition of antisemitism, and the examples that follow, derive from a White Paper drafted by the Nexus Task Force, which examines the issues at the nexus of antisemitism and Israel in American politics. The definition is designed as a guide for policymakers and community leaders as they grapple with the complexities at the intersection of Israel and antisemitism.

Antisemitism consists of anti-Jewish beliefs, attitudes, actions or systemic conditions. It includes negative beliefs and feelings about Jews, hostile behavior directed against Jews (because they are Jews), and conditions that discriminate against Jews and significantly impede their ability to participate as equals in political, religious, cultural, economic, or social life.

As an embodiment of collective Jewish organization and action, Israel is a magnet for and a target of anti-Semitic behavior. Thus, it is important for Jews and their allies to understand what is and what is not antisemitic in relation to Israel.

What Is Anti-Semitic?

1. All claims of antisemitism made by Jews, like all claims of discrimination and oppression in general, should be given serious attention.
2. Whether speech or conduct about Zionism and Israel is anti-Semitic should be based on the standards for speech or conduct that apply to anti-Semitic behavior in general.
3. It is anti-Semitic to promote myths, stereotypes or attitudes about Zionism and/or Israel that derive from and/or reinforce anti-Semitic accusations and tropes. These include:

1. Characterizing Israel as being part of a sinister world conspiracy of Jewish control of the media, economy, government, or other financial, cultural, or societal institutions.
2. Indiscriminately blaming suffering and injustices around the world on a hidden Jewish conspiracy or of being the maligning hand of Israel or Zionism.
3. Holding individuals or institutions, because they are Jewish, a priori culpable of real or imagined wrongdoing committed by Israel.
4. Considering Jews to be a priori incapable of setting aside their loyalty to the Jewish people and/or Israel.
5. Denigrating or denying the Jewish identity of certain Jews because they are perceived as holding the “wrong” position (whether too critical or too favorable) on Israel. 

4. It is anti-Semitic to use symbols and images that present all Jews as collectively guilty for the actions of the State of Israel.
5. It is anti-Semitic to attack and/or physically harm a Jew because of her/his relationship to Israel.
6. It is anti-Semitic to convey intense hostility toward Jews who are connected to Israel in a way that intentionally or irresponsibly (acting with disregard to potential violent consequences) provokes anti-Semitic violence.
7. It is anti-Semitic to treat Israel in a negative manner based on a claim that Jews alone should be denied the right to define themselves as a people and to exercise any form of self-determination.
8. It is anti-Semitic to advocate a political solution that denies Jews the right to define themselves as a people, thereby denying them — because they are Jews — the right to self-determination.
9. It is anti-Semitic to treat Israel differently solely because it is a Jewish state, using standards different than those applied to other countries.

What Is Not Anti-Semitic?

1. As a general rule, criticism of Zionism and Israel, opposition to Israel’s policies, or nonviolent political action directed at the State of Israel and/or its policies should not, as such, be deemed anti-Semitic. 
2. Even contentious, strident, or harsh criticism of Israel for its policies and actions, including those that led to the creation of Israel, is not, per se, illegitimate or anti-Semitic.
3. Opposition to Zionism and/or Israel does not necessarily reflect specific anti-Jewish animus nor purposefully lead to anti-Semitic behaviors and conditions. (For example, someone might oppose the principle of nationalism or ethnic-nationalist ideology. Similarly, someone’s personal or national experience may have been adversely affected by the creation of the State of Israel. These motivations or attitudes towards Israel and/or Zionism do not necessarily constitute anti-Semitic behavior.)
4. Paying disproportionate attention to Israel and treating Israel differently than other countries is not prima facie proof of antisemitism. (There are numerous reasons for devoting special attention to Israel and treating Israel differently, e.g., some people care about Israel more; others may pay more attention because Israel has a special relationship with the United States and receives $4 billion in American aid). <Source>