Dear Distinguished Washington Representatives,

We write to you to enlist your support to enact the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism (the “definition”), including its examples of contemporary antisemitism, into Washington state law.

Specifically, the IHRA Definition 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” (1).

This working definition was adopted by Bellevue, Mill Creek, Snohomish County, the City of Tacoma and Des Moines in 2022, as well as Bremerton in 2024. We would like to now encourage the entire state to follow in their footsteps.

As we watch the soul-crushing shift away from our shared American ideals of justice and equality, we appreciate your attention and seek your commitment in codifying the IHRA definition of antisemitism into Washington State law. This letter explains the significance codification of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition can make to equalize the quality of life for the citizens of Washington as per Title VI Civil Rights Act.
IHRA is an intergovernmental organization with 35 member countries and 9 observer countries. It was founded in 1998 to address challenges related to the Holocaust and Genocide of the Roma. IHRA promotes collaboration around issues related to the Holocaust and urges governments and organizations around the world to adopt a consolidated definition of antisemitism. Its primary mission is to foster education, remembrance, and research about what happened in the past to build a world without genocide in the future (2). With its clear and accurate definition, IHRA definition is the global standard for fighting antisemitism in its many forms.

To date, more than 40 countries, over 34 U.S. states, and more than 1,000 institutions, businesses and sports leagues have embraced this definition to date. The US State Department has used the IHRA definition of antisemitism to track antisemitism since 2016 (3). The US Department of Education has used the IHRA definition of antisemitism since 2018.

This definition covers classical antisemitic tropes: calling for harm against Jews, stereotypes and demonization and Holocaust denial, as well as more modern forms of antisemitism (4).

The need for this legislation in Washington is very clear. Even before the terrorist events in Israel on October 7, 2023, Washington state reported 576 hate crimes in 2021 –up 28% from 451 in 2020. [5] In Washington state, 65 antisemitic incidents were reported in 2022 and in 2023 that number jumped to 190. Miri Cypers, regional director of the Anti-Defamation League of the Pacific Northwest, stated that, “2023 was the worst year for antisemitic incidents, building on the dramatic year-over-year increases that we have already been seeing over the past couple of years.” [7] Recent examples include vandalism at the University of Washington [8], bomb threats at Washington synagogues [9], graffiti at synagogues [10] and horrific antisemitic behavior on behalf of museum staff [11]. In short, Washington State is becoming known as a hotbed of anti-Jewish hatred.

The Jewish population of Washington is approximately 78,000, or only approximately 1% of the population. Still, Jewish Washingtonians deserve to be treated equally, and have their history acknowledged.

The Anti-Defamation League’s annual audit from from 2021-2023 (mostly before the events of the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023) cited 300 antisemitic incidents (harassment, vandalism and assault) that were reported to law enforcement in your state, to say nothing of the incidents that weren’t reported. [12]

National rates of antisemitic incidents are also alarmingly on the rise. A recent survey by the American Jewish Committee shows 42% of Jews reported feeling unsafe about displaying their Jewish identity; 27% feel unsafe setting foot into a synagogue or Jewish Community Center. Additionally, 45% do not feel safe supporting Israel on social media [13].
These increases in rates of antisemitic incidents are one of many reasons why the implementation of IHRA is critical now more than ever.

Codifying a single definition of antisemitism will help identify instances of antisemitism to protect the safety of all individuals. Adoption of the IHRA definition can be a useful guide to train, educate, recognize and combat antisemitic hate crimes or discrimination. It introduces a mechanism to track and report antisemitic incidents. This purpose provides a clear definition of antisemitism for prosecutors, and law enforcement.

Combating the growing presence and incidence of antisemitism requires recording such incidents in order to address them efficiently and effectively. The working definition was therefore designed in part to provide operational guidance to relevant public authorities. Codifying this definition into law will enable the tracking of incidents to be effective and thorough– critical to creating strategies to ensure the safety of all citizens.

Further concerning is the fact that Washington does not have legislation requiring Holocaust education; it is devastating that a bill put forth to educate Washington students about the Holocaust, which took place 80 years ago and was an attempt to annihilate Jewish life worldwide, failed because of an unrelated war that has, like the Holocaust, caused a disastrous amount of hatred to be launched against American Jews. [14]

A recent survey found that almost “one-third of all Americans (31 percent) and more than 4-in-10 Millennials (41 percent) believe that substantially less than 6 million Jews were killed (two million or fewer) during the Holocaust” and although there were “over 40,000 concentration camps and ghettos in Europe during the Holocaust, almost half of Americans (45 percent) cannot name a single one.” [15] These are terrifying statistics, and you can do something about them.

We need clear and consistent instruction on mandating education on the Holocaust and all forms of modern antisemitism. Modern Israel, the state its founders believed would provide safe sanctuary for Jews, is the prime target of contemporary antisemitism. It is recognizable in anti-Israel criticism that many antisemites disguise their hate and blame Israel’s very existence–and by extension Jews everywhere, all of whom are presumed to support Israel’s every decision–for much of the world’s troubles.

Mandating Holocaust education in Washington is an important step to promote tolerance and understanding, and raise awareness about the Holocaust and modern day antisemitism in Washington and a directive which we urge you to follow and work to implement immediately.

Enacting the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism into law alongside a meaningful Holocaust Awareness curriculum will be a good starting point towards combating the cancer that is rapidly spreading across the state.

It is imperative that Washington is included in the existing list of states that adopted the IHRA working definition of antisemitism. These goals, when achieved and implemented in a meaningful way, would extend beyond the walls of policy makers and would enhance education to the greater community and beyond. This process is required to ultimately ensure the safety of and safe haven for Jews in Washington.

Additionally, the Global Guidelines for Countering Antisemitism was released in Buenos Aires, Argentina on July 17, 2024 and published on the Department Of State website [16]. This is yet another resource that Washington officials may utilize to implement into the law the IHRA definition of antisemitism.

We ask that you respond appropriately for the Jews of Washington and support enacting the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism, including its examples of contemporary antisemitism, into Washington legal code. As stated earlier, over 34 states across our nation have embraced this definition to date. Your alignment to this critical legislation will place Washington among the majority – the States who are steadfast to monitor and combat antisemitism in support of our democratic beliefs.

We are relying on you to take appropriate action to uphold the truth and American values. The future of our democracy requires that we understand all forms of antisemitism and emphasize in every way possible that it has no place in America.

Your action is needed now.

Sincerely,

References
1. holocaustremembrance.org
2. holocaustremembrance.org
3. www.state.gov/defining-antisemitism/
4. To broaden the reach of this definition, it also recognizes various forms of contemporary antisemitism. One form is often directed against the State of Israel and calls for Israel’s destruction, and labels Israel as uniquely demonic, deserving of boycott and opprobrium. Another version is the continuation of centuries of old traditions of rejecting and shunning Jews. Contemporary antisemitism also stems from multiple sources holding fringe ideologies. Examples include far- right reactionaries, far-left anti-Zionists and Islamic jihadists and radicals.
5. https://seattle.adl.org/news/hate-crimes-in-washington-state-reach-highest-level-in-over-two-decades/
6. https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/antisemitic-incidents-skyrocketing-western-washington-across-us/DPFP3PPI25BJNAVBBSDZYBLJYE/
7. https://www.kuow.org/stories/2023-was-the-worst-year-for-anti-jewish-hate-in-the-northwest
8. https://seattle.adl.org/news/press-release-anti-defamation-leagues-pacific-northwest-office-condemns-recent-antisemitic-vandalism-at-the-university-of-washington/
9. https://seattle.adl.org/news/press-release-adl-pnw-condemns-recent-seattle-bomb-threats/
10. https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-774664
11. https://nypost.com/2024/05/26/us-news/seattle-museum-shut-down-by-staffers-who-walk-off-job-to-protest-exhibit-on-antisemitic-hatred/
12. https://www.adl.org/resources/report/audit-antisemitic-incidents-2023
13.https://www.ajc.org/news/ajc-survey-shows-american-jews-are-deeply-and-increasingly-connected-to-israel
14. https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/holocaust-education-requirement-fails-in-wa-legislature/
15. https://www.claimscon.org/study/
16. https://www.state.gov/global-guidelines-for-countering-antisemitism/