Bal Harbour made history after becoming the first
municipality in the United States to pass an ordinance that defines an antisemitic
hate act.
The ordinance aims to assist police in identifying and
processing such antisemitic crimes.
“It directs the police department to consider the
definition of antisemitism put forth by the state department in 2010,” Bal
Harbour Mayor Gabriel Groisman said. “So it doesn’t change the hate crime
laws, but it gives them the language and the importance of what – constitutes a
hate crime.”
The ordinance is already in effect and community leaders
hope other municipalities in Florida and elsewhere n the United States follow
suit.
“Each and every one of us has a role in fighting
against bigotry and Jew-hatred,” Zionist Organization of America
representative Sharona Whisler said. “It’s very commendable that this city
and that this council is playing this role in such a proactive way.”
For example, graffiti involving the depiction of a swastika
will be treated as a hate crime under the new ordinance instead of simply as
vandalism.
