On Thursday, the Virginia legislature passed a measure, HB 1606, to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism and its 11 contemporary examples. Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin is expected to sign the bill following his executive order acknowledging the definition in January 2022.
Governor Youngkin convened a commission to combat antisemitism last year and its first recommendation was to adopt the IHRA definition.
The Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) applauds this important step by the Commonwealth of Virginia, which is one of the 30 U.S. states that have officially recognized the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism, either by the legislative process or executive order.
“The IHRA definition is the global standard for defining and recognizing antisemitism, and every instance of its adoption is critically important in combating Jew-hatred in all its forms,” said former U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism Elan Carr, a member of the CAM Advisory Board. “States need the tools and resources to stem the rising tide of antisemitism and to educate citizens on the different ways the hatred manifests.”
“I’m thrilled by the strong support of the Virginia legislature — as reflected by the Senate’s unanimous vote in favor of the bill — and by the remarkable commitment of Governor Youngkin and his administration to standing strongly with the Jewish people and fighting the ugly scourge of Jew-hatred wherever it appears,” Carr added.
In a statement on Friday, Governor Youngkin declared, “Hate has no place in the Commonwealth and I’m proud to take continued steps to fight antisemitism. I am truly inspired by the devotion shown to transform what started as an idea into a law that will change how we combat antisemitism in the Commonwealth. I want to thank everyone who poured their heart and soul into seeing this bill pass.”
Total adoptions of the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism as of February 2023 include more than 1,100 global entities, which consist of countries, provinces, cities, for-profit companies, universities, non-profits, political parties, and many others.
CAM has produced a report tracking adoption of the IHRA definition worldwide, which can be found here.
In addition to advocating for the adoption of the IHRA definition, CAM has also encouraged mayors across the U.S. to proclaim May as Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM).
Mayor Levar Stoney of Richmond, Virginia, was the first to distribute a letter asking fellow mayors to join him in making a formal declaration of Jewish American Heritage Month at the municipal level.
“Jewish residents of our respective cities deserve to feel safe in their homes, neighborhoods and communities,” said Mayor Stoney. “A mayoral proclamation of Jewish American Heritage Month will clearly communicate that their city’s leaders recognize them and oppose antisemitism.”
