North East Combined Authority's first Mayor, has announced the Combined
Authority Cabinet's decision to adopt the International Holocaust
Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of
antisemitism. This decision was ratified by the Combined
Authority Cabinet yesterday (28th January), the day after
Holocaust Memorial Day which marks 80 years since the liberation
of Auschwitz-Birkenau.
At a time where many British Jews feel increasingly unsafe due to
rising antisemitism, this welcome move ensures the region can
swiftly and effectively respond to instances of anti-Jewish
hatred in the North East.
Jewish communities have been established across the North East
since as early as the 18th century, with a large Charedi
community in Gateshead, two synagogues in Newcastle, as well as
Jewish students on campuses across the region.
The decision follows the positive trend of adoption of the IHRA
definition by the UK government, major parties, hundreds of local
councils, the Metropolitan police, Crown Prosecution Service and
other government and public bodies.
The JLC has had many engagements with Mayor McGuinness since her
election, including regular meetings with Community Security
Trust and a December roundtable of communal organisations which
included the Union of Jewish Student's, World Jewish Relief, Chai
Cancer Care and Jewish Women's Aid.
Mayor of the North East Combined Authority, stated: "I am pleased that
the North East Combined Authority will adopt the (IHRA) working
definition of antisemitism. This is especially poignant in the
week we mark Holocaust Memorial Day and I will continue to work
closely with the Jewish Leadership Council to ensure the message
is clear - antisemitism will not be tolerated in the North
East.
"Everyone in the North East has a right to feel safe and I am
pleased to continue to show our support for our vibrant Jewish
communities."
JLC's Yorkshire & East Coast Regional Manager, Leo Brosh
stated:
"I am grateful to Mayor McGuinness for her leadership in adopting
the IHRA definition within the new Combined Authority. It is
encouraging that the Mayor recognises that IHRA is a tool to
identify anti-Jewish racism and that adoption is nothing without
accompanying action. I look forward to continuing to work with
the Mayor to strengthen and support the Jewish community in the
North East."
Responding to the announcement, Simon Henig, Joint President of
the Representative Council of North East Jewry
stated:
"We are delighted that the new North East Combined Authority and
Mayor McGuinness have adopted the IHRA definition. This is
particularly important at a time of rising numbers of antisemitic
incidents in the UK and globally, and as we commemorate Holocaust
Memorial Day, which this year marks the 80th anniversary of the
liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau.
As we learn from the past, we can all work together, locally,
regionally and nationally to take action for a better
future."
ENDS
Note to editors
The Jewish Leadership Council
The Jewish Leadership Council is the strategic umbrella body of
the UK Jewish community, supporting our 37 cross-communal members
by connecting them to policy makers, providing development
opportunities to professional and lay leaders, and connecting
them with internal and external stakeholders.
North East Combined Authority
The North East CA came into being after the local elections in
2024. On 2 May 2024, was elected as the first
mayor of the North East winning a total of 41% of the vote. Kim
McGuiness was previously Northumbria Police and Crime
Commissioner.
IHRA Working Definition
The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) unites
governments and experts to strengthen, advance and promote
Holocaust education, remembrance, and research worldwide and
uphold the commitments of the 2000 Stockholm Declaration and the
2020 IHRA Ministerial Declaration.
Representative Council of North East Jewry
The Representative Council of North East Jewry (‘Rep Council') is
the umbrella organisation representing the Jewish communities,
individuals and organisations in the North-East of England.
