Agenda item

Hatred, and particularly religious hatred, in all forms, is not something that should be tolerated in our society. Whilst there have been instances of hatred appallingly directed at several religions, worryingly there is an upward national trend in antisemitic hatred that must not be tolerated.

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief recently released a report which agreed that the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism can offer valuable guidance for identifying antisemitism in its various forms.

The IHRA definition is as follows:

“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”.

This definition is encouraged in its use in “education, awareness-raising and for monitoring and responding to manifestations of antisemitism”.

I therefore move that this Council formally adopts the IHRA definition of antisemitism, sending a clear message to communities in the district of South Kesteven that we will not and do not tolerate religious hatred, and reflecting this by including this definition in the Council’s Equality and Diversity Policy.

The Leader of the Council proposed his motion:

Hatred, and particularly religious hatred, in all forms, is not something that should be tolerated in our society. Whilst there have been instances of hatred appallingly directed at several religions, worryingly there is an upward national trend in antisemitic hatred that must not be tolerated.

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief recently released a report which agreed that the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism can offer valuable guidance for identifying antisemitism in its various forms.

The IHRA definition is as follows:

“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”.

This definition is encouraged in its use in “education, awareness-raising and for monitoring and responding to manifestations of antisemitism”.

I therefore move that this Council formally adopts the IHRA definition of antisemitism, sending a clear message to communities in the district of South Kesteven that we will not and do not tolerate religious hatred, and reflecting this by including this definition in the Council’s Equality and Diversity Policy.

In proposing his motion, the Leader referred to the commemoration of 75^th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau camp. He asked the Council to pledge that it would reject hate crime in no matter what the guise, nor whomever the target.

The proposition motion was seconded. Further reference was made to the commemoration events and the Council’s existing statement on hate crime as set out in its Safeguarding Policy. The seconder said that he hoped that going forward, the council would recognise other increases in hate, giving the example of increased Islamophobia. Whilst the seconder did not think it would change anything “on the ground”, he hoped adopting the definition would send a clear message that anti-Semitism had no place within the Council nor across the district.

Another Member said that they were happy to support the motion but requested it be amended so that the final paragraph read:

I therefore move that this Council formally adopts the IHRA definition of antisemitism, sending a clear message to communities in the district of South Kesteven that we will not and do not tolerate religious hatred, and reflecting this by including this definition and the definition of Islamophobia as agreed by the all-party Parliamentary group on British Muslims in the Council’s Equality and Diversity Policy.

This was seconded. The Councillor seconding the amendment indicated a preference that the motion go further still, commenting that discrimination has led to massacre.

Some Members expressed concern that broadening the motion would dilute the impact of the original motion during the commemorative period. The Leader indicated that he would be prepared to support the amendment.

One Member referred to his childhood and the multi-cultural community in which he lived. He indicated that he had initially felt uncomfortable with the initial proposal because of its narrow focus.

Another Member recognised why the focus had been narrow but suggested that there were other forms of hatred and persecution that had not already been referred to. He urged the Council not to rush its decision to ensure that what it adopted was appropriate and did not solely recognise anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.

The seconder of the amendment indicated that she had intended to request the incorporation of the broader scope. The proposer of the amendment and the Council agreed to broaden the wording of the amendment to the final paragraph to read: 

I therefore move that this Council formally adopts the IHRA definition of antisemitism, sending a clear message to communities in the district of South Kesteven that we will not and do not tolerate religious hatred, and reflecting this by including this definition and the definition of Islamophobia as agreed by the all-party Parliamentary group on British Muslims, and all other forms of hatred in the Council’s Equality and Diversity Policy.

A vote was taken on the amendment, which was carried.

A proposal was made that the question on the substantive motion be now put. This was seconded and, on being put to the vote, carried.

A vote was taken on the substantive motion and

it was AGREED:

Hatred, and particularly religious hatred, in all forms, is not something that should be tolerated in our society. Whilst there have been instances of hatred appallingly directed at several religions, worryingly there is an upward national trend in antisemitic hatred that must not be tolerated.

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief recently released a report which agreed that the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism can offer valuable guidance for identifying antisemitism in its various forms.

The IHRA definition is as follows:

“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”.

This definition is encouraged in its use in “education, awareness-raising and for monitoring and responding to manifestations of antisemitism”.

I therefore move that this Council formally adopts the IHRA definition of antisemitism, sending a clear message to communities in the district of South Kesteven that we will not and do not tolerate religious hatred, and reflecting this by including this definition and the definition of Islamophobia as agreed by the all-party Parliamentary group on British Muslims, and all other forms of hatred in the Council’s Equality and Diversity Policy.