Following the release of the Biden-Harris Administration’s National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism, Democratic Majority for Israel President and CEO Mark Mellman today released the following statement:
“DMFI applauds the Biden-Harris Administration for its comprehensive, innovative, and whole-of-society U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism, the first of its kind in American history.
“A first step in combatting antisemitism is defining it. Early on, the Biden-Harris Administration ‘enthusiastically embrace[d]’ the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism and its examples and has done so again today. Indeed, the IHRA definition is the only one embraced by the Administration. The IHRA definition has been endorsed by 1,000 entities, including some 40 nations, such as close U.S. allies like Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, South Korea, and the United Kingdom.
“We thank the Administration for prioritizing the fight against antisemitism and all forms of bigotry from day one. Following years of an alarming rise in antisemitic acts, Holocaust distortion, right-wing violent extremism, and anti-Zionist antisemitism across the country — including a record-high number of hate acts and crimes against Jews reported to the FBI in 2021 — the Biden-Harris Administration is taking concrete action to identify and combat antisemitism with this vitally important strategy.
“IHRA’s working definition, which as its text states, is not intended to be legally binding, does not in any way preclude criticism of Israel. It states, ‘criticism of Israel similar to that leveled against any other country cannot be regarded as antisemitic,’ but, at the same time, the IHRA working definition affirms that singling out Israel by requiring a behavior that is not demanded of other nations can be regarded as antisemitism. The Administration today sends a clear message that it will not give cover to antisemites who attempt to disguise their Jew hatred as mere criticism of Israeli government policies.
“In addition to advocating for a strong U.S.-Israel relationship, DMFI is proud to join the Biden-Harris Administration in its commitment to call out and fight antisemitism wherever and whenever it appears.”
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