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Mar 31, 2021

Hamilton, ON — Today, Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger announced the adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism. Hamilton Jewish Federation and its advocacy agent, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) applauded the announcement.

The IHRA definition is the product of decades of research, study and deliberation by many of the world’s foremost experts and was accordingly adopted by consensus by the governments of more than 30 countries in 2016. The European Union and the United Nations both support it, as do the Governments of Canada and Ontario.

The IHRA definition is strongly supported by Jewish community institutions and organizations.

In response, Gustavo Rymberg, CEO, Hamilton Jewish Federation, issued the following:

“Today, Mayor Eisenberger sent a clear message to hate mongers in our city: there is no room for antisemitism in Hamilton. We are pleased to see Hamilton, one of the largest cities in Canada, join a growing list of municipalities across the country and around the world in adopting the IHRA definition of antisemitism, a vital tool in the ongoing fight against hatred and discrimination targeting Jews.

“At a time of rising hate, the IHRA definition provides a framework that can help guide civil society and government alike in understanding contemporary forms of antisemitism, such as Holocaust denial.”

Judy Zelikovitz, Vice President, University and Local Partner Services, CIJA, added:

“Jewish Canadians are among the top minority groups most targeted by hate crime. We cannot protect our society from contemporary manifestations of antisemitism if we are unable to properly identify them. By adopting the IHRA definition, the City of Hamilton has demonstrated a strong commitment to pushing back against rising antisemitism and hate.”

Additional Background

The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) is the advocacy agent of the Jewish Federations of Canada-UIA
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