Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin signed a bill on Monday adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism at a ceremony at the governor’s mansion.
By signing HB 1606, the governor’s office said that Virginia will use the IHRA definition as a guide to identify instances of antisemitism and to train first responders, educators, and public servants in the response and prevention of hate crimes.
“When we acknowledge that we live in a world where there is hate, and where that hate is translated into despicable actions, we can stand up together and say there is no room for that. When we clearly define hatred, as this bill does, then we can transform for the good and build a better future,” Youngkin said. “I’m so proud of the progress we’re making and humbled by the shining lights we see across the Commonwealth.”
State Delegate Anne Ferrell Tata, who sponsored the bill, described the adoption of the IHRA definition as “an important first step toward ending antisemitism in Virginia.”
“My faith is so important in my life, and a fundamental tenet of my faith is to ‘love one another.’ I love our Jewish community, which is why I worked closely with them to carry this vital legislation,” she said.
State Senator Siobhan Dunnavant praised the bill for giving public servants a “tool to combat antisemitism and fulfill Virginia’s promise of religious liberty.”
“The district I serve is home to Virginians of all faiths, backgrounds, and ethnicities, many of whom came to Virginia seeking tolerance and religious liberty. As Virginians, we have an obligation to stand up and defend the right of everyone to practice their faith free from discrimination and oppression,” Dunnavant said.
HB 1606 was passed in February by the Virginian General Assembly in response to a rise in antisemitism in the state.
