The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism was officially adopted by Waltham Forest Council last night.
The adoption of the definition comes after months when the national Labour party and its senior members were embroiled in an antisemitism row.
Waltham Forest Council is held by a Labour majority and the IHRA definition will now be written into the council’s constitution in its code of conduct.
The IHRA defines antisemitism as “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.”
The IHRA definition also features working examples of antisemitism, all of which have been adopted into the authority’s constitution.
A total of 18 London boroughs have so far already adopted the IHRA definition and the leader’s committee of London Councils has recommended all boroughs consider adopting it.
The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government also wrote to council leaders across the country encouraging them to adopt the exact phrasing of the IHRA definition.
