New York, NY – Dianne Lob, Chair, and William Daroff, CEO, of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, issued the following statement:
“We welcome the release of the White House National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism, the first ‘all-of-government’ approach to combating antisemitism. From education in rural communities, to ensuring kosher food in food assistance programs and hospitals, creating educational tools for labor unions and small businesses, and encouraging partnerships with other faith communities to combat antisemitism, the approach engages over two dozen federal agencies in this comprehensive strategy. We wholeheartedly applaud the Biden Administration’s continuing embrace of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, which is the most universally accepted definition of antisemitism.
“The Conference of Presidents actively engaged with the White House to shape the comprehensive federal plan to combat antisemitism. The overwhelming support for the IHRA definition is evident through the endorsement of over 175 Jewish community organizations worldwide, more than 600 Rabbis representing the four Jewish religious streams and dozens of our member organizations. Elected officials, including members of Congress and mayors, also voiced their strong support.
“The IHRA definition continues to gain traction as the most authoritative and internationally accepted definition of antisemitism. It is formally adopted and used by 42 nations – including the United States – as well as numerous local governments, academic institutions, NGOs, and other entities. In the U.S., 31 states already individually embraced the IHRA definition as a valuable tool. We strongly believe in order to defeat antisemitism it must be defined. The Conference of Presidents will continue to champion the IHRA definition as a crucial framework for identifying and addressing antisemitism.
“We also salute the President’s plan for additional homeland security funding and streamlined hate crimes reporting and enforcement standards, as well as increasing educational resources from the federal government, including educating about antisemitism in all diversity trainings. This plan marks a significant milestone in the ongoing battle against antisemitism. We express our deep gratitude for these crucial measures aimed at fighting anti-Jewish hate and fostering a climate of inclusivity and tolerance.”
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