New York, NY, September 4, 2018 …

Following today’s decision by the UK Labour Party’s National Executive Committee, its governing body, to adopt in full the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism, ADL Senior Vice President for International Affairs Sharon Nazarian stated:

“We welcome Labour’s decision to adopt the IHRA definition in full.  The prior decision to exclude several examples of anti-Semitic speech had contributed to deep suspicions and resentment by the British Jewish community and Jewish organizations around the world.

Adopting the IHRA definition is a first and necessary step to demonstrating that UK Labour will not tolerate anti-Semitism among its members.  However, British Jewish organizations have raised concerns about the adjudication of complaints about anti-Semitic speech and behavior.  Without good-faith efforts to apply the IHRA definition, today’s decision will be an empty gesture and will not restore confidence in the party’s commitment against anti-Semitism.  A reported ‘freedom of expression on Israel’ clause, in an addendum adopted at the meeting, must not prevent the application of the IHRA definition.

Actions will speak louder than words. We join our British Jewish colleagues in the expectation that UK Labour will enforce the standard adopted today, as a condition for regaining the confidence of the Jewish community.”

ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt recently wrote about UK Labour’s anti-Semitism issue in an op-ed, “British Jews Say ‘Enough is Enough’”.