The head of Jersey’s Jewish community has condemned the island’s “disturbing” decision to reject the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism.
Stephen Regal, president of Jersey Jewish Congregation said: “As Jews we are aware of from where racism stems and our antenna are highly raised.
“I believe that this is an issue of people who perhaps don’t understand the connotations of the decision that they’re making. I honestly believe that whatever decision is being made [not to adopt the IHRA definition] is one of lack of understanding of the situation as a whole.”
The decision comes amid the huge row over Labour’s refusal to adopt the definition in favour of its own watered-down version that omits key examples of how criticising Israel can be antisemitic.
A spokesperson for the island’s governing national council told the Jersey Evening Post it “already has robust and effective anti-discrimination legislation that protects individuals from discrimination on the grounds of race, which would include acts of antisemitism”.
The spokesperson also confirmed the government’s intention to consult on a draft law dealing with hate crime, and crimes motivated by prejudice, before the end of 2018.
“This should include the offence of inciting racial hatred, or an equivalent offence,” the spokesperson said.
“Also, the States of Jersey Police have a hate crime policy and procedure in place to tackle crime motivated by hostility or prejudice based on race, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability or against someone who is transgender.”
Mr Regal stressed that “we’ve always had an excellent relationship with the government here – when we’ve needed help, such as with importing kosher meat – the government’s always been there.”
But he added: “At a time when the Labour Party are picking and choosing which sections of the declarations they wish to incorporate, I think they have a slightly different agenda to the Jersey government, but nevertheless it’s disturbing to think that this almost universally agreed declaration isn’t acceptable to everybody.”
He said: “The IHRA working definition seeks to act as a codicil to legislation and to try to prevent subtle racial or religious abuse.
“Any gap in legislation can be unfortunate… it would be prudent to use such documentation [as the IHRA] in the formation of any legislation.”
Mr Regal said that he had written to the island’s Chief Minister, urging “further consideration is given to incorporating the agreed full text of the [IHRA] Declaration.”
