After consultation with local Jewish groups and the Jewish
Leadership Council (JLC), the West Midlands Combined
Authority (WMCA) adopted the full International Holocaust
Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism at its
Board Meeting on 24th July.
As part of the Equalities Update presented to the Board, the
definition was unanimously agreed by the Leaders of all seven
constituent member Councils.
The definition, which was set out by the IHRA in Bucharest in
2016, will help to ensure there is clarity around what
antisemitism is.
West Midlands Combined Authority adopts International Holocaust
Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism
The description is a clear and practical working definition of
antisemitism, and it is hoped that through adopting it a
confidence will be created within the Jewish community in the
entire West Midlands region and it will be easy to recognise what
is and is not antisemitic.
The WMCA will be joining other combined authorities such as
Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Liverpool City Region,
North East Combined Authority and the Greater London Authority
that have already adopted the definition as well as over 260
councils in England and Wales.
, the Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “I am proud to
be Mayor of an extremely diverse region, but we must not pretend
that hate crime and prejudice don’t still exist. Nobody should be
the victim of hate because of their faith or heritage, which is
why I have been working closely with our Police and Crime
Commissioner to tackle this, and why I was so keen for the WMCA
to sign up to the IHRA definition of antisemitism.
“I am pleased the WMCA board has now agreed the definition, and I
hope this serves as a symbol to not only the Jewish community in
the region but all communities, that the West Midlands stands
together against all forms of hate and prejudice.”
West Midlands Combined Authority portfolio holder for inclusive
communities and deputy leader of Birmingham City Council,
councillor Brigid Jones, said: “Adopting the International
Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition highlights that there
is no place for antisemitism in the West Midlands.
“As we reconnect as a region following the pandemic, we should
remember that inclusivity should be at the heart of everything we
do and that all of our communities should be respected and not
subjected to prejudice or hatred in any form.”
Claudia Mendoza, Joint Chief Executive at the JLC said: “The IHRA
definition is a practical tool to help authorities identify and
tackle antisemitism. We would like to thank Mayor and the Leaders in the West Midlands Combined
Authority for adopting this definition.”
