The Lester and Sally Entin Faculty of Humanities The Stephen Roth Institute for the Study of Contemporary Anti-Semitism and Racism The Working Definition of Antisemitism – Six Years After Unedited Proceedings of the 10th Biennial TAU Stephen Roth Institute's Seminar on Antisemitism August 30 – September 2, 2010 Mémorial de la Shoah, Paris Contents Introduction The EUMC 2005 Working Definition of Antisemitism Opening Remarks: Simone Veil, Yves Repiquet Rifat Bali, "Antisemitism in Turkey: From Denial to Acknowledgement – From Acknowledgement to Discussions of Its Definition" Carole Nuriel, "History and Theoretical Aspects" Michael Whine, "Short History of the Definition" Ken Stern, "The Working Definition – A Reappraisal" David Matas, "Assessing Criticism of the EU Definition of Antisemitism" Dave Rich, "Reactions, Uses and Abuses of the EUMC Definition" Esther Webman, "Arab Reactions to Combating Antisemitism" Joel Kotek, "Pragmatic Antisemitism: Anti-Zionism as a New Civic Religion: The Belgium Case" Michal Navot, "Redux: Legal Aspects of Antisemitism, Holocaust Denial and Racism in Greece Today" Karl Pfeifer, "Antisemitic Activities of the Austrian 'Anti-Imperialists Coordination' (AIK)" Raphael Vago, "(Re)Defining the Jew: Antisemitism in Post-Communist Europe-the Balance of Two Decades" Marcis Skadmanis, "The Achievements of Latvian NGOs in Promoting Tolerance and Combating Intolerance" Yuri Tabak, "Antisemitic Manifestations in the Russian Federation 2009-2010" Irena Cantorovich, "Belarus as a Case Study of Contemporary Antisemitism" Jeremy Jones, "The Asian Pacific Experience-the Dubious Relevance of European Declarations in the Third World" 1 Luiz Nazario, "The Bad Assimilation of the Holocaust: A Brazilian Case" Haim Fireberg, "Confronting New Antisemitism: From Working Definition to Model Law and Back" Pierre-André Taguieff, "La nouvelle propaganda 'antisioniste', ou la reinvention de la question juive" Concluding Remarks: Joseph Bollag, Dina Porat, The Seminar Statement Photos Seminar Program List of Participants 2 Introduction Definitions of antisemitism have been formulated ever since the term was coined, in Germany in 1870 by Wilhelm Marr. They were mostly the product of the intellectual effort of scholars, some of them self declared antisemites, and were published in their writings and in a large number of lexicons and encyclopedias. The European Union Monitoring Council (EUMC) Working Definition of antisemitism, drafted and adopted in early 2005 differs from the previous ones in a number of aspects. First, its formulation was preceded by the joint, and not an individual, efforts of many scholars, activists and institutes. Second, it is not a theoretical academic one, but rather aims at being a practical guide for identifying antisemitism. Third, being a practical guide it does not try, as the former definitions have, to explain the reasons and developments from which antisemitism originates. This 2005 definition was hailed as both an achievement and a landmark for all those concerned about monitoring antisemitism and the struggle against it. In 2010, more than five years after its formulation, and in view of the ten years of new antisemitism, the time was ripe to re-examine the definition, its advantages and disadvantages, its successes and failures. Indeed, the idea to have our 10th biennial seminar focus on the impact that the definition has had thus far, was met with many warm responses, and with suggestions for sessions and presentations: does the definition need additions, or corrections? Does it have a practical impact on monitoring and analyzing of antisemitic incidents? What is its contribution to sensitive current issues, such as double loyalty, relations between antisemitism and anti-Zionism, relations and tensions inside Jewish communities, among them, and between them and local societies? Who actually adopted it and uses it, and how? What are its prospects in the near future? The seminar presentations addressed these issues, as well as some legal aspects and shed light on the situation of antisemitism in selected countries in all regions across the globe. The idea to meet in Paris was met with no less enthusiasm. Many warm thanks are due to the Memorial de la Shoah, headed by Jacques Fredj, and to its staff, headed by Karel Frakapane, who all hosted us with friendship and generosity. We wish to thank all the participants, who came from all over the globe – from Australia to Turkey and from Venezuela and Brazil to Russia – it is always such a pleasure to meet; the chairpersons, always carrying out a difficult task; those who provided us 1 with opening remarks, especially Mme. Simone veil and Mr. Yves Repiquet who graced the opening session with their presence and insight; Mr. Francois Zimeray, Special Representative of the French Foreign Minister, who hosted a reception for us in the elegant premises of the Quai d'Orsay. Most of the participants took the time and trouble to set pen to paper and sent us their presentations for this publication – Thank you! We have included the seminar's statement. I kindly ask that you please pay special attention to it and feel free to distribute it. Finally, as always, many thanks are due to the Institute's staff, especially to Ronit Greenfeld. The seminar was a great success. Many warm and even enthusiastic reactions were sent to Tel Aviv and to Paris in its wake. Therefore it is with great pleasure and satisfaction that this modest publication is being offered to the participants and to all interested, accompanied by the hope that all of the Institute's ten seminars have proved to be of both a personal and a professional value to us all. Dina Porat and Esther Webman, Tel Aviv University July 2011 2 EUMC WORKING DEFINITION OF ANTISEMITISM The purpose of this document is to provide a practical guide for identifying incidents, collecting data, and supporting the implementation and enforcement of legislation dealing with antisemitism. Working definition: 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. In addition, such manifestations could also target the state of Israel, conceived as a Jewish collectivity. Antisemitism frequently charges Jews with conspiring to harm humanity, and it is often used to blame Jews for "why things go wrong." It is expressed in speech, writing, visual forms and action, and employs sinister stereotypes and negative character traits. Contemporary examples of antisemitism in public life, the media, schools, the workplace, and in the religious sphere could, taking into account the overall context, include, but are not limited to: • Calling for, aiding, or justifying the killing or harming of Jews in the name of a radical ideology or an extremist view of religion. • Making mendacious, dehumanizing, demonizing, or stereotypical allegations about Jews as such or the power of Jews as collective — such as, especially but not exclusively, the myth about a world Jewish conspiracy or of Jews controlling the media, economy, government or other societal institutions. • Accusing Jews as a people of being responsible for real or imagined wrongdoing committed by a single Jewish person or group, or even for acts committed by non- Jews. • Denying the fact, scope, mechanisms (e.g. gas chambers) or intentionality of the genocide of the Jewish people at the hands of National Socialist Germany and its supporters and accomplices during World War II (the Holocaust). • Accusing the Jews as a people, or Israel as a state, of inventing or exaggerating the Holocaust. • Accusing Jewish citizens of being more loyal to Israel, or to the alleged priorities of Jews worldwide, than to the interests of their own nations. Examples of the ways in which antisemitism manifests itself with regard to the state of Israel taking into account the overall context could include: • Denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, e.g., by claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor. • Applying double standards by requiring of it a behavior not expected or demanded of any other democratic nation. • Using the symbols and images associated with classic antisemitism (e.g., claims of Jews killing Jesus or blood libel) to characterize Israel or Israelis. • Drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis. • Holding Jews collectively responsible for actions of the state of Israel. However, criticism of Israel similar to that leveled against any other country cannot be regarded as antisemitic. Antisemitic acts are criminal when they are so defined by law (for example, denial of the Holocaust or distribution of antisemitic materials in some countries). Criminal acts are antisemitic when the targets of attacks, whether they are people or property—such as buildings, schools, places of worship and cemeteries—are selected because they are, or are perceived to be, Jewish or linked to Jews. Antisemitic discrimination is the denial to Jews of opportunities or services available to others and is illegal in many countries. Simone Veil Opening Remarks Mesdames, Messieurs, D’abord, je veux souhaiter ici à chacune et chacun d’entre vous, experts et chercheurs, la bienvenue. Nous sommes réunis ce jour pour discuter du racisme et de l’antisémitisme, échanger connaissances et analyses. C’est un progrès formidable ! Avant d’être l’apanage des scientifiques que vous êtes, avant d’être expliqué, disséqué, dénoncé par les historiens, combattu par les femmes et les hommes politiques, et je crois avoir contribué à ce combat, l’antisémitisme, ce crime de la pensée, a si longtemps été considéré comme une opinion, un peu extrême certes, mais banale. Souvenons-nous des premiers écrits de Wilhelm Marr, souvenons-nous, ici, en France, du formidable destin de « la France Juive » de Drumont et du déshonneur infligé au capitaine Dreyfus, dégradé publiquement dans la cour de l’école militaire, déporté à Cayenne, souvenons-nous des Protocoles, toujours, dans certains pays, un grand succès de librairie.