Press Release: Federation CJA and CIJA Applaud the Government of Quebec’s Adoption of the IHRA Definition of Antisemitism
The Government of Quebec’s adoption of the IHRA definition is an important step in the fight against antisemitism in Quebec.
MONTREAL, QC – Earlier today, the Government of Quebec joined dozens of jurisdictions in more than 34 countries in adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) normative definition of antisemitism.
Today’s adoption of the IHRA definition follows the National Assembly’s unanimous motion on May 26 condemning antisemitic incidents in recent weeks.
Eta Yudin, CIJA Vice President, Quebec, issued the following:
“Today, the Minister responsible for the Fight Against Racism, Benoit Charette, and the Government of Quebec have taken a concrete step forward in the fight against antisemitism, joining more than 34 countries around the world who have adopted the normative definition of antisemitism. Today’s announcement follows a recent and unprecedented spike in antisemitic incidents. The National Assembly’s unanimous motion condemning antisemitism and the Government of Quebec’s adoption of the IHRA definition are a clear affirmation of our elected officials’ recognition of the seriousness of the upsurge in hate targeting Jews and of the need for concrete action to counter this rise. We applaud Minister Charette and the government for their leadership in the fight against Jew-hatred, an issue that concerns all Quebecers.”
Yair Szlak, CEO of Federation CJA, added:
“The Government of Quebec’s adoption of the IHRA definition is an important step in the fight against antisemitism in Quebec and throughout the world. Our public authorities will now be able to rely upon a tool that enables them to clearly define antisemitic incidents in Quebec. The Jewish community salutes the commitment and foresight of the Government of Quebec in the fight against antisemitism, a fight that concerns Quebecers of every stripe.”
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) is the advocacy agent of Canada’s Jewish Federations, including Montreal’s Federation CJA
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Additional Information:
- Declaration of the Minister responsible for the Fight Against Racism, Benoit Charette, here.
- The IHRA working definition is the most widely accepted definition of antisemitism in the world, having been adopted by dozens of democratic countries. In 2019, it was adopted by the Government of Canada as part of its new anti-racism strategy. It has also been adopted by provincial governments of Ontario and New Brunswick, and in 24 cities across Ontario and Quebec.
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