Countries backing IHRA antisemitism definition also fund its opponents

European countries are playing both sides in the battle over whether attacks on Israel sometimes constitute antisemitism, an NGO Monitor study has found.

The IHRA’s definition of antisemitism has been adopted by 40 governments and numerous intergovernmental organisations.

However, these endorsements come with a twist. NGO Monitor’s data reveals that a significant number of these countries are also funding NGOs that resist the IHRA framework.

The controversy rest on whether it is antisemitic to mount certain attacks on Israel — such as claiming the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavour or applying double standards — constitute antisemitism.

Countries including Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and even the European Union – all known champions of human rights – seem to be playing both sides according to the study’s findings.

These countries have paradoxically been backing organisations that are said to “engage in and promote blatant antisemitism as per the IHRA’s definition,” it reads.

NGO Monitor has created a detailed database and visualisation that illustrate the scope and intensity of the NGO campaign to target the IHRA working definition and prevent its adoption.

Data drawn from 45 campaigns featuring 345 NGOs found 52% aimed to deter governments and intergovernmental institutions (like the United Nations) from setting the IHRA definition as the antisemitism standard.

The study suggests that these NGOs are not merely driven by ideological differences but have self-preservation in mind. With the IHRA’s definition gaining traction, many of their activities, especially those against Israel, risk being tagged as antisemitic.

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The NGO Campaign to Discredit the IHRA Definition (NGO Monitor)

Countries backing IHRA antisemitism definition also fund its opponents, study finds (Jerusalem Post)

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