[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 105 (Thursday, June 15, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2124-S2125]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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   SENATE RESOLUTION 254--UNEQUIVOCALLY CONDEMNING ANTISEMITISM AND 
  LAUDING THE WORKING DEFINITION OF ANTISEMITISM OF THE INTERNATIONAL 
                     HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE ALLIANCE

  Mr. SCOTT of Florida (for himself, Mr. Schmitt, Mr. Rounds, Mr. 
Hagerty, and Mrs. Blackburn) submitted the following resolution; which

[[Page S2125]]

was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 254

       Whereas the United States Senate recognizes that 
     antisemitism is a pernicious and destructive form of 
     prejudice that has persisted throughout history, resulting in 
     widespread discrimination, violence, and persecution against 
     Jewish individuals and communities;
       Whereas the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance 
     (referred to in this preamble as the ``IHRA'') has developed 
     a widely accepted and comprehensive working definition of 
     antisemitism that serves as a valuable tool for identifying 
     and combating acts of antisemitism in all its manifestations;
       Whereas the IHRA working definition of antisemitism states 
     that ``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'';
       Whereas the IHRA working definition of antisemitism 
     includes examples that illustrate the various ways in which 
     antisemitism manifests, including making derogatory 
     statements about Jews, denying the Holocaust, promoting 
     conspiracy theories about Jewish control, and holding the 
     Jewish Community collectively responsible for the actions of 
     the State of Israel;
       Whereas the IHRA working definition of antisemitism serves 
     as a valuable tool for governments, institutions, and 
     organizations in identifying, monitoring, and addressing 
     antisemitism, thereby helping to ensure the safety, security, 
     and dignity of Jewish communities around the world;
       Whereas, for nearly 2 decades, the IHRA working definition 
     and its predecessor, the European Union Military Committee 
     working definition, which was developed with the cooperation 
     and support of Jewish communities, have provided essential 
     guidance in efforts to combat antisemitism to governments and 
     organizations in Europe, the Americas, and across the globe;
       Whereas the IHRA definition has been adopted by more than 
     40 nations and multilateral organizations, including the 
     European Union and the Organization of American States, which 
     has earned the near-unanimous endorsement of the Organization 
     for Security and Cooperation in Europe;
       Whereas no other definition of antisemitism has been as 
     broadly adopted and utilized by practitioners, governments, 
     and civil society as the IHRA working definition of 
     antisemitism; and
       Whereas the United States Senate is committed to upholding 
     the principles of equality, human rights, and religious 
     freedom, and recognizes the importance of combating all forms 
     of discrimination, including antisemitism, in order to foster 
     a more just and inclusive society: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) strongly condemns all forms of antisemitism, including 
     acts of violence, discrimination, and hate speech directed at 
     individuals or communities based on their Jewish identity;
       (2) recognizes the significant impact of antisemitism on 
     individuals, communities, and society as a whole, and 
     reaffirms its commitment to combating this age-old prejudice 
     in all its forms;
       (3) commends the International Holocaust Remembrance 
     Alliance (referred to in this resolution as the ``IHRA'') for 
     its efforts in developing the IHRA working definition of 
     antisemitism, which serves as a valuable tool for identifying 
     and addressing acts of antisemitism;
       (4) encourages Federal, State, and local government 
     entities, as well as academic institutions, civil society 
     organizations, and other relevant stakeholders, to adopt and 
     exclusively utilize the IHRA working definition of 
     antisemitism as an essential resource in combating 
     antisemitism and promoting tolerance and understanding;
       (5) calls on all countries to endorse and make exclusive 
     use of the IHRA working definition of antisemitism, and to 
     take effective measures to combat antisemitism, protect 
     Jewish individuals and communities, and promote religious 
     freedom and human rights for all; and
       (6) urges the Federal Government to continue its efforts to 
     combat antisemitism domestically and internationally, 
     including through diplomatic channels, law enforcement 
     cooperation, educational programs, and public awareness 
     campaigns.

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