International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance Definition of Anti-Semitism

The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) is an intergovernmental body whose purpose is to place political and social leaders' support behind the need for Holocaust education, remembrance and research both nationally and internationally. The Alliance has 33 members.

The committee on Anti-Semitism and Holocaust Denial called the IHRA Plenary in Budapest 2015 to adopt the following working definition of anti-Semitism:

To guide IHRA in its work, the following examples may serve as illustrations:

Contemporary examples of anti-Semitism in public life, the media, schools, the workplace, and in the religious sphere could, taking into account the overall context, include, but are not limited to:

• Calling for, aiding, or justifying the killing or harming of Jews in the name of a radical ideology or an extremist view of religion.
• Making mendacious, dehumanizing, demonizing, or stereotypical allegations about Jews as such or the power of Jews as collective — such as, especially but not exclusively, the myth about a world Jewish conspiracy or of Jews controlling the media, economy, government or other societal institutions.
• Accusing Jews as a people of being responsible for real or imagined wrongdoing committed by a single Jewish person or group, or even for acts committed by non-Jews.
• Denying the fact, scope, mechanisms (e.g. gas chambers) or intentionality of the genocide of the Jewish people at the hands of National Socialist Germany and its supporters and accomplices during World War II (the Holocaust).
• Accusing the Jews as a people, or Israel as a state, of inventing or exaggerating the Holocaust.
• Accusing Jewish citizens of being more loyal to Israel, or to the alleged priorities of Jews worldwide, than to the interests of their own nations.
• Denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, e.g., by claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor.
• Applying double standards by requiring of it a behavior not expected or demanded of any other democratic nation.
• Using the symbols and images associated with classic antisemitism (e.g., claims of Jews killing Jesus or blood libel) to characterize Israel or Israelis.
• Drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis.
• Holding Jews collectively responsible for actions of the state of Israel.

Anti-Semitic acts are criminal when they are so defined by law (for example, denial of the Holocaust or distribution of anti-Semitic materials in some countries).

Criminal acts are anti-Semitic when the targets of attacks, whether they are people or property – such as buildings, schools, places of worship and cemeteries – are selected because they are, or are perceived to be, Jewish or linked to Jews.

Anti-Semitic discrimination is the denial to Jews of opportunities or services available to others and is illegal in many countries.

Governments and Bodies that Have Adopted or Endorsed the Working Definition

Members of the IHRA

Sources: International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance Definition of Anti-Semitism.
Rachel Wolf, “Cyprus adopts IHRA definition of antisemitism,” Jerusalem Post, (December 19, 2019).
Lahav Harkov, “Italy adopts IHRA definition of antisemitism,” Jerusalem Post, (January 19, 2020).
“Wiesenthal Center Applauds Uruguay's Decision to Combat Anti-Semitism Adopting IHRA`s Working Definition,” Simon Wiesenthal Center, (January 27, 2020).
“Serbia adopts IHRA definition of antisemitism,” World Jewish Congress, (June 4, 2020).
“Argentina adopts IHRA definition of antisemitism,” World Jewish Congress, (June 10, 2020).
Marcy Oster, “Spain adopts IHRA definition of antisemitism,” Jerusalem Post, (December 19, 2019).
Jeremy Sharon, “Albania first Muslim majority state to adopt IHRA antisemitism definition,” Jerusalem Post, (October 22, 2020).
Philissa Cramer, “Kentucky becomes first US state to adopt IHRA anti-Semitism definition,” JTA, (February 28, 2021).
“Governor Abbott Signs HB 3257 Into Law, Creating The Texas Holocaust, Genocide, And Antisemitism Advisory Commission,” Press Release, Office of the Texas Governor, (June 16, 2021).
“IHRA Definition Statement,” Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, (October 2021).
“Reynolds signs anti-BDS of Israel and antisemitism bills into law,” Iowa Torch, (March 24, 2022).
Zvika Klein, “Kansas becomes 20th US state to endorse IHRA antisemitism definition,” Jerusalem Post, (March 24, 2022).