The IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism: Criticism, Implementation, and Importance 

Introduction

This essay analyzes the status of the working definition of antisemitism adopted by  the  International Holocaust Remembrance  Alliance  (IHRA)  (See appendix for the text of the working definition). Five years since its adoption in May 2016, the  IHRA working definition is the main document that elucidates what antisemitism is, by providing a general definition and 11 explanatory examples. This definition  is widely accepted and has been adopted by hundreds of diverse bodies, including  governmental institutions, societal organizations, and corporations. The growing  understanding of the IHRA document and its significance has led to its being used  to recognize and prevent antisemitic incidents and manifestations worldwide.  Antisemitism is a multifaceted phenomenon, and some of its aspects have been subjected to  a harsh  and continuous  debate. Israel-related  antisemitism is one such example, whereby political beliefs and factional ideologies have considerably the study and understanding of the phenomenon. Accordingly, the IHRA document is also criticized inasmuch as it encompasses these examples. This  essay  offers  an  analysis  of  the  current status of  the IHRA document, while examining the main points  of  criticism  and  the  responses  to  it.  It  is  based  on  a larger and more comprehensive research, conducted by Dr. Giovanni Quer, Adv. Talia Naamat, and Prof. Dina Porat, in cooperation with the School of Tourism at Haifa University.