Question


 asked by (Con)


:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to
promote the use of the definition of anti-Semitism adopted by the
International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, together with its
guidance notes.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Housing,
Communities and Local Government and Wales Office (Lord Bourne of
Aberystwyth) (Con)


: My Lords, the Prime Minister
announced the Government’s adoption of the International
Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of
anti-Semitism in December 2016. Since then, we have encouraged
local authorities to adopt the definition. To date, 135 local
authorities across the United Kingdom have done so, as have a
number of universities, the National Union of Students and the
Union of Jewish Students. In addition, a number of political
parties have adopted the definition and the police and CPS
already use it as a guide. It is good to see in his place my
noble friend , who has done so much great
work in this area.
: 


I thank
the Minister and agree that all institutions and political
parties should adopt this definition of anti-Semitism, which
includes, of course, disproportionate attacks on Israel. Does the
Minister share my concern that in this parliamentary Session
there have been, according to the House of Lords Library, more
than 250 Questions on Israel which, to put it in context,
compares with 50 on Iran and five on anti-Semitism?
: 


As a
Minister, I know quite a bit about answering the same question
time and again, as noble Lords will be aware. Ultimately, this is
a matter for individual noble Lords; it is not a matter for the
Government. Obviously, noble Lords will need to declare
interests, but if they do so, that is a matter for them.
(LD)


:
My Lords, the IHRA definition clarifies that, when it comes to
anti-Semitism by way of criticism of Israel, cases should be
judged taking into account the overall context and may—rather
than must—be anti-Semitic; and that,

“criticism of Israel
similar to that levelled against any other country cannot be
regarded as anti-Semitic”.

Does the Minister believe that
this is sufficient to ensure freedom of speech?



: My
Lords, the noble Lord is right that there is obviously an
important balance to be struck between freedom of speech and the
definition of anti-Semitism. It is important that people bear in
mind the definition of anti-Semitism, but ultimately all freedom
of speech is constrained in some way. Nobody can go into a
theatre and yell “Fire!”—unless there is a fire, of course—so
noble Lords would be well advised when exercising the right of
free speech to be aware of the parameters within which it is
exercised.
(Non-Afl): 


Does the Minister realise that one of
the problems is that Government of Israel now calls itself “the
Jewish State of Israel”? Could he advise us whether we are being
anti-Semitic when we criticise the actions of the Government of
the Jewish State of Israel?
: 


My Lords, I do not want to be
drawn too much into semantics on this. I think noble Lords will
in general realise what is legitimate criticism of the policy of
a particular state—that is legitimate—but they will be aware of
the definition of anti-Semitism which the Government, the
Conservative Party and many local authorities have adopted. That
is a good thing and is recognised as such internationally.
(Lab
Co-op)


: My Lords, does the Minister agree that
anti-Semitism is a truly despicable form of abuse and that it has
absolutely no place in Britain? Will he join me in congratulating
the Community Security Trust for what it has done in highlighting
this abuse and racism? Will he ask his ministerial colleagues in
the Home Office and the Ministry of Justice to ensure that
everything is in place to support the police and the CPS to bring
prosecutions against the perpetrators of these evil crimes?
: 


My Lords, the noble Lord’s record
is unimpeachable in this regard and I join him in paying tribute
to the CST. He will be aware that at the top reaches of his party
in the other place, there is still an issue to address, but I
certainly exempt noble Lords in this House from that charge.
However, there is much work to be done on anti-Semitism in the
upper reaches of the .
(CB): 


My
Lords, does the Minister share my feeling that it is shameful and
a stain on our reputation that we even have to discuss this and
that we find that anti-Semitism is mainstreaming, especially in
our universities? I cannot imagine—and I am sure the Minister
cannot imagine—anyone attempting to narrow the definition of, for
example, Islamophobia. There is a singling out of Jews and Israel
under the guise of anti-Israelism.
: 


My Lords, in her last phrase I
think the noble Baroness is referring to university campuses.
There are issues there that remain a concern, but in all fairness
considerable progress has been made. The present NUS president,
Shakira Martin, deserves praise. She has been working with the
Union of Jewish Students, for example. There is still work to be
done, but considerable work has been done in that regard. I agree
with the noble Baroness about tackling Islamophobia. That too is
a challenge that we have to meet in all political parties.
(Con)


: Will the Minister explain what Her Majesty’s
Government are doing to deal with anti-Semitism in social
media?



: My Lords, my noble friend will be
aware that hate crime in general on social media is something we
are seeking to address; we have invested money in that fairly
recently. My noble friend is correct to say that it is a very
important concern, but it also has an international dimension and
is very difficult to deal with. For all that, it is important
that we do deal with it, and we are seeking to do so.
(LD): 


My
Lords, anti-Semitism is absolutely reprehensible and abhorrent.
It is a stain on our society, and I welcome any moves to stamp it
out, but may I ask the Minister to help me? He mentioned
Islamophobia as well. Some of us in this Chamber who come from a
particular background are subjected to the most appalling
comments by an individual in this Chamber about our faith and
about people from the same faith—mainly Muslims—with very little
intervention. Can he say whether the same will apply in this
Chamber: that we lead by example and we stamp out such questions
and comments, which make some of us feel very uncomfortable, and
beyond, about coming from a Muslim background?
: 


My Lords, I am unaware of the
specifics that the noble Baroness mentions, but based on what she
has just said: absolutely. It is abominable that anybody should
be singled out on the basis of race or religion. All
discrimination is wrong, and I wholeheartedly endorse what she
has said.
(Lab): 


My Lords, does the Minister agree with me in
welcoming the visit made yesterday by Prince William to Yad
Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem? Does he further agree
that Prince William’s desire to go to the other side and talk to
Palestinian people to try to get some understanding can only be a
good thing for the future of both states?
: 


Entirely, my Lords; I
wholeheartedly agree.




