The mayors of eight Colombian cities officially adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism on Wednesday, the Combat Antisemitism Movement announced.
The IHRA non-legally binding working definition of antisemitism reads: “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.”.
The mayors want to cement their support of Jewish people
While Colombia itself officially adopted the IHRA definition in June 2022, the mayors' adoption of it for their specific cities "sends a clear message of leadership and solid commitment to continue building a hate-free society," said Shay Salamon, Executive Director of Hispanic Affairs at CAM.
"The decision of these Colombian mayors is deeply significant at a time when we see a worrying increase in antisemitism in the world," Salamon added. "Local authorities have a responsibility to identify, prevent and combat antisemitism in all its forms.
The mayors of the eight cities - Pitalito, Bucaramanga, Cúcuta, Bojacá, Tenjo, Villa Pinzón, Chiquinquirá, and Machetá - promised to implement the IHRA working definition as an educational, formative, and guiding tool in the policies and programs of their municipalities.
Earlier this year, in May, the leaders participated in a delegation of solidarity with Israel at the invitation of the Israeli Consulate in Colombia.