Title
A Resolution of the City Commission amending resolution 2019-117, to adopt definitions of Anti-Semitism and bigotry.
(Sponsored by Commissioner Keon)
Body
On May 14, 2019, the City Commission passed Resolution 2019-117, condemning Anti-Semitism, bigotry and discrimination against all minorities. Unfortunately, Jews continue to be a targeted minority in the United States and are consistently the most likely of all religious groups to be victimized by incidents of hate, and such incidents are increasing at an alarming rate.
The City Commission recognizes that effective policy-making benefits from accurate and uniform definitions, and to that end wishes to amend Resolution 2019-117, to adopt definitions of “Anti-Semitism” and “bigotry”.
While Anti-Semitism can be difficult to define as it takes many forms, the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA), Working Definition of Antisemitism, has become the internationally recognized, authoritative definition for use by governments and international organizations, such as the U.S. State Department and U.S. Department of Education.
As such, this Resolution amends Resolution 2019-117 by adopting and incorporating the IHRA’s Working Definition of Antisemitism, which reads in full: “Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”; and the following definition of bigotry: Obstinate or unreasonable attachment to a belief, opinion, or faction; in particular, prejudice against a person or people on the basis of their membership of a particular group.