WORKING DEFINITION OF ANTISEMITISM
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EUMC (European Monitoring Center for Racism and Xenophobia) / FRA (Fundamental Rights Agency) ofEuropeanUnion:
The purpose of this document is to provide a practical guide to identifying incidents, collecting evidence and supporting the implementation and enforcement of anti-Semitism legislation.
Basic definition: "Anti-Semitism is a certain perception of Jews that can be expressed as hatred of Jews. Verbal and physical manifestations of anti-Semitism are directed against Jews or non-Jews and/or their property, against Jewish community institutions and religious buildings."
Additionally, similar events can also be targeted against the State of Israel, understood as a Jewish collective entity. Anti-Semitism often accuses Jews of being conspirators harming humanity and is regularly used to blame Jews "because things go wrong". It is expressed in spoken and written language, audio-visual media and aggressive actions and uses deceptive stereotypes and negative character models.
Contemporary examples of anti-Semitism in public life, the media, schools, the workplace and the religious sphere – taking into account the global context – may include (but are not limited to) the following:
- Calling for, aiding or abetting murder or physical violence against Jews, in the name of a radical ideology or an extremist view of religion.
- Making false claims that dehumanize Jews, demonize or stereotype Jews as such, or the power of Jews collectively, such as - especially but not exclusively - the myth of a global Jewish conspiracy or the control of M. M.E., economy, governments or other social institutions by the Jews.
- Accusing the Jews as a people of being responsible for real or imagined wrongs committed by a Jew as a natural person or group of Jews, or even for actions committed by non-Jews.
- The denial of the fact, purpose, mechanisms (eg, gas chambers) or intent of the genocide of the Jewish people by National Socialist Germany and its supporters and accomplices during World War II (the Holocaust).
- The accusation that the Jews as a people or Israel as a state invented or exaggerate the Holocaust.
- The accusation that the Jewish citizens of a state are more loyal to Israel or to the alleged priorities of the Jews internationally, than to the interests of the states of which they are citizens.
Examples of ways in which anti-Semitism manifests itself in relation to the State of Israel – given the overall context – might include:
- The denial of the Jewish people's right to self-determination, for example, by claiming that the State of Israel is a racist edifice.
- The application of double standards and standards towards the State of Israel, which is often asked to observe positions that no other democratic state is called upon or expected to observe.
- The use of symbols or images associated with classic anti-Semitism (claims that Jews killed Christ, blood libel) to characterize Israel or Israelis.
- The parallel of modern Israeli politics with Nazi politics.
- The view that Jews are collectively responsible for the actions of the State of Israel.
However, criticism of Israel, to the extent that it can be seen as moving in the context of criticism of any other country, cannot be considered anti-Semitism.
Anti-Semitic actions are criminal when defined as such by Law (for example Holocaust denial or distribution of anti-Semitic material in certain countries).
Criminal actions are anti-Semitic when the targets of the attacks are: either persons or property, such as buildings, schools, places of worship and cemeteries - because they are (or are perceived to be) Jewish or Jewish or associated with Jews.
Anti-Semitic discrimination, which is illegal in many countries, is the denial of opportunities or services to Jews that are available to other citizens.