Board anger after Jersey does not adopt IHRA definition of anti-Semitism
Head of the Channel Island’s 50-strong Jewish community said it was “disturbing” as British Jewish representatives react with anger
The Board of Deputies has reacted in anger to a decision by politicians on the Channel Island of Jersey not to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism.
A spokesperson for the Board said the representative body had raised its concerns with the island, and expressed hope that the decision could be overturned.
“We have raised this with the Jersey Government and we intend to discuss with them the importance of adopting the IHRA definition,” said the Board.
“We would urge them to listen to the island’s Jewish community, which has always experienced positive relations with the administration since the end of the Nazi occupation of the island.”
Jersey’s decision comes about a furious argument between Jewish community representatives and Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC) over the latter’s decision not to incorporate all aspects of the IHRA definition in its new code of conduct. The NEC has since said it will consult on its code before adopting it.
The head of the island’s 50-strong Jewish community said it was “disturbing” but most likely a decision made through ignorance, rather than malice.
“I believe that this is an issue of people who perhaps don’t understand the connotations of the decision that they’re making, said Stephen Regal, president of Jersey Jewish Congregation.
“As Jews we are aware of from where racism stems and our antenna are highly raised… I honestly believe that whatever decision is being made is one of lack of understanding of the situation as a whole.”
Listen to this week’s episode of The Jewish Views Podcast here:
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
