The Balearic Islands archipelago east of Spain passed a resolution on June 6 to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism.
The IHRA definition of anti-Semitism considers the demonization and delegitimization of Israel to be anti-Semitism. According to The Jerusalem Post, the resolution also denounced the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement as a movement that engages in discriminatory behavior.
Lawfare Project senior counsel in Spain Ignacio Wenley-Palacios told Jewish News Syndicate, “Boycotts by public institutions have all the attributes of the most intolerable discrimination. They deny relations and the provision of public services to individuals not because of their behavior, but because of something they cannot change nor avoid: their country of origin.”
Other Jewish groups praised the Balearic Islands parliamentary move.
“Identifying and defining anti-Semitism are critical steps in eradicating it,” the World Jewish Congress tweeted. “Thank you.”
#Spain's Balearic Islands have adopted @TheIHRA definition of #antisemitism.
Identifying and defining antisemitism are critical steps in eradicating it. Thank you. pic.twitter.com/jSd56p7ggc
— World Jewish Congress (@WorldJewishCong) June 15, 2020
The Combat Anti-Semitism group similarly praised the parliament “for passing a resolution condemning the #antisemitic #BDS Movement & the urging Balearic Gov’t to adopt @TheIHRA definition, while honoring memory of #sephardi Jews. An important step against #antisemitism in #Spain.”
We commend @ParlamentIB of the Balearic Islands & @MaxoBenalal for passing a resolution condemning the #antisemitic #BDS Movement & the urging Balearic Gov't to adopt @TheIHRA definition, while honoring memory of #sephardi Jews. An important step against #antisemitism in #Spain. pic.twitter.com/v9EkKN2gkt
— Combat Antisemitism Movement (@CombatASemitism) June 11, 2020
Argentina adopted the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism on June 8. That country’s ambassador to Israel, Sergio Daniel Urribarri, said in a statement, “Our Minister of Foreign Affairs made it clear in his resolution that its goal is to contribute to the fight against anti-Semitism in all its forms, collaborate in the building of a culture where hostility and violence have no place, and promote education for pluralism, as well as to encourage the remembrance and research of the Holocaust.”
Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt tweeted, “We welcome Argentina’s adoption of the #IHRA working definition to combat #Antisemitism to prevent and respond to #Antisemitic incidents — very important for the largest Jewish community in Latin America & a country who suffered two terrorist attacks.”
We welcome Argentina's adoption of the #IHRA working definition to combat #Antisemitism to prevent and respond to #Antisemitic incidents – very important for the largest Jewish community in Latin America & a country who suffered two terrorist attacks. https://t.co/3lJCLVgStu
— Jonathan Greenblatt (@JGreenblattADL) June 9, 2020
