Bracknell to tackle antisemitism after councillors speech

The Executive Committee of Bracknell Forest Council adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism at a meeting yesterday (Tuesday, June 1).

It comes after Jewish people in London have faced harassment following violence related to the Israel-Palestine conflict.

The IHRA working definition of antisemitism states: “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.”

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Councillor John Harrison spoke particularly passionately in support of adopting this definition of antisemitism. He said: “Antisemitism incidents are on the rise across the globe, including in the last week in the UK as we’ve seen on the news.

“But the persecution of Jews has been around for a long time, it is described as the ‘oldest hatred’, and to combat this hatred, we need to define it. This working definition is a useful thing… Not all racism consists of clear unambiguous statements of hate or acts of violence. Sometimes, it can consist of more subtle tactics, spreading myths and stereotypes designed to create a negative impression of the group in question.

“In the case of Jews there are many tropes, ancient tropes… While the person spreading those tales gets to say ‘oh no, I’m not anti-Semitic, I’m anti Zionist’ we saw over the past week where people who were claiming to be pro-Palestinian were going out looking for Jews to harass and hurt in London.

“That’s Jews in Britain, not in Israel. Politics in the Middle East is complicated but it’s not complicated if it’s happening in your own country and people are being hunted down. That hatred isn’t for the Jewish state, its for Jews in particular.

“It’s hypocritical to criticise Israel for existing but not Pakistan or Croatia. We need to unmask that disguised hatred for what it is.”

It comes after Jewish people were targeted in London on Sunday, May 23, after they celebrated a ceasefire following a flare up in the Israel-Palestine conflict.

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The council was first asked to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism in 2017 by then Home Secretary Sajid Javid.

More recently, Robert Jenrick, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government demanded councils adopt the definition in September 2019.

Therefore, it has taken the council five years to adopt the definition. It has not adopted it until now because the council has an ‘All of Us’ Equality Strategy which commits to eliminating discrimination, prejudice, and hatred towards all communities in Bracknell Forest. Additionally, the council has a legal duty to eliminate unfair discrimination, harassment and victimisation, advancing equality of opportunity and fostering good relationships between people under obligations in the Equality Act 2010.

There are nine protected characteristics in the Act: race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, age, disability, sex, and gender re-assignment.

The decision to adopt the definition of antisemitism was passed unanimously by the Executive Committee. The definition will be officially adopted at a Full Council meeting. Its adoption is not legally binding and has no financial implications on the council.

So far, around 260 (75%) local authorities in England have adopted the definition.

According to the Office of National Statistics, their were 197 practicising members of the Jewish religion in Bracknell Forest in 2018.

Cllr Harrison is the Conservative executive member for culture, delivery and public protection.