# The Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism (JDA) ## Intro - Seen to be a response to the [[IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism]], including by [[Summary of Tuck Antisemitism Report, Jan 2023|Tuck]] - Released March 2021 - From their intro: “a tool to identify, confront and raise awareness about antisemitism as it manifests in countries around the world today. It includes a preamble, definition, and a set of 15 guidelines that provide detailed guidance for those seeking to recognise antisemitism in order to craft responses. It was developed by a group of scholars in the fields of Holocaust history, Jewish studies, and Middle East studies to meet what has become a growing challenge: providing clear guidance to identify and fight antisemitism while protecting free expression”. ## Definition > Antisemitism is discrimination, prejudice, hostility or violence against [Jews](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jews "Jews") as Jews (or Jewish institutions as Jewish). The declaration's 15 guidelines are divided into three sections. - Section A deals with general manifestations of antisemitism and provides examples like Holocaust denial and the Rothschild conspiracy theory. - Section B gives examples of speech and conduct relating to Israel and Palestine that are inherently antisemitic according to the authors, including holding Jews collectively responsible for Israel's actions or requiring Jews to disavow Israel or Zionism. - Section C gives examples of speech and conduct with regard to Israel and Palestine that are not necessarily antisemitic according to its authors, including supporting Palestinians, double standards against Israel and anti-Zionism. The declaration does not take explicit stances for or against the [[Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS)]] movement or the one-state solution, but rules they are not antisemitic "on the face of it." ## Controversy - Undermines the other defition - Doesn't acknowledge the oppression of Palestinians? - Use of 'weasel words'? ### Response to Controversy - Michael Waltzer, one of the original creators of the JDA, states that he supports the [[IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism]] and that their attempt was to "create a little distance... between antisemitism and Israel/ Palestine battles" - With regard to calls to repeal the IHRA definition in Great Britain, he said that "rescinding IHRA or replacing it with a definition perceived as more permissive would send a very bad message to students and teachers at British universities"