Defining Antisemitism

Yvette Cooper has signed EDM1493. Motion reads: "That this House recognises that the Macpherson inquiry which followed the murder of Stephen Lawrence changed the way racism is perceived in Britain to a victim-led approach; believes that in order for victims or potential victims of racist abuse to have confidence in societal efforts to address discrimination they must help craft understanding of the racism to which they are being subjected; further believes the effect of racism can have repercussions irrespective of proven intent; notes that the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism together with its accompanying examples, in full, has the confidence of the representative bodies of the Jewish community in the UK and worldwide; further notes the definition was adopted by IHRA's 31 member states including France, Germany, Canada and the US; welcomes the UK’s adoption of the formal definition and accompanying examples; further recognises that a recommendation formally to adopt a definition was first made in the All-Party Parliamentary Inquiry into Anti-Semitism report of 2006; further welcomes the cross-party support for the definition evidenced in previous motions of this House; recognises that the Welsh and Scottish Governments, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, London Assembly, and more than 120 local councils and many European countries have formally adopted the definition; recognises that police forces and others have for some time already used the definition for training purposes; notes that civil society organisations including the NUS have adopted the definition; and calls on all public institutions to fully adopt and implement the IHRA definition of antisemitism."