STATEMENT: Gottheimer, Moskowitz Statement Supporting the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Congressmen Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) and Jared Moskowitz (FL-23) released the following statement:

“We remain resolute in condemning antisemitism and anti-Israel rhetoric in Congress, throughout our country, and worldwide. We write to express our strongest endorsement of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism, including the examples set forth therein, and its continued use by the United States as a tool for identifying and educating about the pernicious prejudice of antisemitism.

We are proud that the United States played a central role in the IHRA’s creation of the Working Definition in 2016. Consistent American leadership on this issue across the last three administrations has led to the adoption of the IHRA Working Definition by more than 1,100 entities worldwide. These include 41 countries, among them most Western democracies; more than 300 provincial and local governments, including a majority of U.S. states and many U.S. cities; and leading multilateral bodies, such as the Organization for Security Cooperation in Europe, the European Union, and the Organization of American States. Also embracing the IHRA Working Definition are more than 400 other groups, including political parties, non-governmental organizations, sports teams, and educational institutions.

Adoption and use of the IHRA Working Definition transcends party, region, faith, and ideology. It has become the global standard for recognizing and combating hatred against the Jewish people.  

Denying Jewish self-determination to our ancestral homeland of Israel, holding Jews collectively responsible for actions of the State of Israel, and applying double standards to Israel — America’s strongest democratic ally in the Middle East — is antisemitic. The IHRA definition underscores that fact.

We commend the Biden Administration for establishing the White House Antisemitism Task Force to confront the threat of rising antisemitism, and we commend the Administration for its strong statements of support for the IHRA Working Definition from senior officials, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism Deborah Lipstadt.

As the White House prepares its national strategy to combat antisemitism, we look forward to reviewing a framework that explicitly commits to the IHRA Working Definition and its continued use by the United States at home and abroad.”

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