(NASSAU COUNTY, NY) – Nassau County Executive Laura Curran signed an Executive Order officially recognizing the non-legally binding IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism, an important guidance tool for monitoring and raising awareness about the contexts in which antisemitic acts and harassment takes place. The Executive Order directs all County departments and officials in the County to be guided by the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism, in complying with, implementing and enforcing laws or regulations that prohibit acts of antisemitic discrimination or harassment.
“In order to combat antisemitism effectively, it is important to be clear about what it is and how it may manifest itself. With Anti-Semitism on the rise, Nassau County stands with our Jewish brothers and sisters and will continue fighting to ensure hatred never finds a home in our communities,” said Nassau County Executive Laura Curran.
On 26 May 2016, the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance Committee on Antisemitism and Holocaust Denial in Bucharest adopted the following non-legally binding working definition of antisemitism:
“Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”
“Thank you to Nassau County Executive, Laura Curran, for signing this EO adopting the IHRA definition of antisemitism. By doing so, Nassau County has taken the first very important step toward defeating antisemitism; that is defining it. With antisemitism on the rise, and especially as we have seen attacks against members of the Jewish community in New York, the more municipalities, law enforcement, social service agencies, educational establishments are educated about what antisemitism is, the greater our chances of good people to stand against it. There’s a lot of misinformation about antisemitism. The County Executive has taken the bold step of lighting a candle in the darkness of ignorance,” said StandWithUs Northeast Director Avi Posnick.
“American Jewish Committee Long Island Region is grateful to County Executive Curran for adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism. The definition, which has been adopted by over 30 countries, including the U.S., and numerous multilateral bodies, is the definitive definition of antisemitism. At a time when the Jewish community has seen a rise in not only traditional antisemitism, but a new antisemitism that seeks to demonize and delegitimize Israel, a clear understanding of what antisemitism is, is essential to combating this evil,” said American Jewish Committee Long Island Regional President Arnie Herz and Regional Director Eric Post.
“Jewish Community Relations Council of Long Island (JCRC-LI) strongly supports the adoption and utilization of the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism as a resource for education and guidance in Nassau County. With antisemitism on the rise, it must be met with condemnation and action. We applaud County Executive Laura Curran for her leadership and conviction,” said Mindy Perlmutter, Executive Director of Jewish Community Relations Council Long Island.
