Dear Distinguished Louisiana State Senators and 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 Louisiana 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” (1a). As we witness a troubling departure from our core American values of justice and equality, we urge you to codify the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism into Louisiana state law. This letter highlights how adopting this definition can protect rights and improve the quality of life for all Louisianaians, in accordance with Title VI of the 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 (1b). With its clear and accurate definition, the IHRA definition is the global standard for fighting antisemitism in its many forms.

To date, more than 40 countries, over 38 U.S. states, and more than 1,000 institutions, businesses, and sports leagues have embraced the IHRA definition of antisemitism. The U.S. State Department has used this definition to track antisemitism since 2016 (2). The U.S. Department of Education adopted it in 2018. It was also recently codified into law and supported in a bipartisan fashion in the state of New Hampshire.

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 (3).

The need for this legislation in Louisiana is clear. Antisemitic incidents sharply increased in Louisiana in 2022, before October 7th happened (4). Now, in a post-October 7th world, it is truly terrifying to see how much antisemitism has become normalized. Here are some quick facts to illustrate this:
1. In 2023, 34 out of 43 reported incidents of terrorism, extremism, and antisemitism in New Orleans alone were specifically targeted at Jewish individuals (5a).
2. The ADL has reported 48 antisemitic and extremist incidents in Louisiana in 2023, a significant increase from the 14 incidents recorded in 2022 (5b).
3. Louisiana Jews have united to protect one another and their community in response to the increasing antisemitism they are confronting. While their solidarity is a testament to their strength, it is deeply troubling that such measures are necessary (6).
These figures are a stark contrast to the historical acceptance that Jewish Americans in Louisiana have enjoyed and treasured for decades. This change in attitudes and action is of grave concern and merits immediate attention and proactive legislation.

To grasp the extent of antisemitism targeting Jewish citizens in Louisiana, consider the following compelling anecdotal evidence:
1. A synagogue received anonymous calls where the caller said “Heil Hitler.” Another synagogue received anonymous calls threatening that ""evil Jews that must be eradicated"" (7a)
2. Two bomb threats were aimed at two New Orleans synagogues (7b).
3. A Holocaust memorial was vandalized with graffiti (7c).
4. A hateful banner was hung over a busy highway in Louisiana, claiming that Jews control banks and Hollywood, blaming Jews for slavery and trade wars, and describing their synagogues as ""synagogues of Satan” (8).
These Jewish institutions in Louisiana should not have to face such threats. Why should synagogues and Holocaust memorials be targeted with vandalism and hate in America, a country that prides itself on being a paradigm of religious freedom and tolerance?

We also need to highlight the surge in antisemitism on American college campuses since October 7. Jewish students have faced threats, assaults, disruptions to their classes due to protests, and confinement in their dorms out of fear of harassment.

Tulane University: Tulane, known for its large Jewish student population, has faced increasing antisemitism. Over the past year, anti-Israel protestors took over the campus, and stickers depicting a hand tossing a Star of David into the garbage were plastered on walls (9). Two students at the University were assaulted while another student burned an Israeli flag (10).

Louisiana State University: Pro-Palestinian students organized marches calling on the university to divest from Israel, emphasizing their stance against one of America’s strongest allies and the sole democracy in the Middle East (11). These protestors shouted things like “LSU don’t hide, you’re supporting genocide” (12). LSU was also targeted with antisemitic graffiti, including a swastika and the words ""Heil Hitler"" (13).

Unfortunately, these examples are only two of the campuses where antisemitic incidents occurred, a trend that has spread across Louisiana.

Alarmingly, national rates of antisemitic incidents are also 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 (14). These increases in rates of antisemitic incidents are one of many reasons why the implementation of IHRA is critical now more than ever.

Further concerning is the fact that Louisiana does not have legislation requiring Holocaust education. 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 alarming statistics, and you can help change them.

We need a strong mandate for Holocaust education and modern antisemitism awareness. Modern Israel, originally founded as a sanctuary for Jews, is now the prime target of antisemitism, often masked as anti-Israel criticism. This hatred unjustly blames Israel’s existence—and by extension, Jews worldwide—for global issues.

Codifying a single definition of antisemitism will enhance the ability to identify, address, and report antisemitic incidents, thereby protecting everyone’s safety. Adopting the IHRA definition provides a clear framework for training, education, and combating antisemitic hate crimes and discrimination. It offers a mechanism for tracking and reporting incidents, giving law enforcement and prosecutors clear guidance. Effective recording and addressing of antisemitism are essential for creating strategies to ensure all citizens' safety (16).

Louisiana must join the list of states adopting the IHRA working definition of antisemitism. This step is essential to ensure the safety and protection of Jews in Louisiana, allowing them to live securely and fully participate in their communities as Jews and Americans.

We ask that you respond appropriately for the Jews of Louisiana and support enacting the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism, including its examples of contemporary antisemitism, into Louisiana’s legal code. As stated earlier, over 38 states across our nation have embraced this definition to date. Supporting this critical legislation will position Louisiana alongside the majority of states committed to monitoring and combating antisemitism, upholding our democratic values.

We are relying on you to uphold truth and American values by taking decisive action. The future of our democracy depends on our commitment to understanding all forms of antisemitism and affirming that it has no place in America.

Your action is needed now.

Sincerely,

References

1. holocaustremembrance.org
2. www.state.gov/defining-antisemitism/
3. 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 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.
4. https://www.fox8live.com/2022/05/16/50-extremist-or-anti-semitic-incidents-reported-louisiana-over-last-18-months/
5. https://www.adl.org/resources/tools-to-track-hate/heat-map
6. https://www.fox8live.com/2024/05/20/jewish-community-rallies-help-new-orleans-city-council-staffer-targeted-hate-crime/
7. See source 5 for the ADL HEAT Map.
8. https://x.com/StopAntisemites/status/1612933825285193730
9. See source 5 for the ADL HEAT Map.
10. https://www.nea.org/nea-today/all-news-articles/taking-antisemitism-college-campuses
11. https://lailluminator.com/2024/05/03/pro-palestinian-students-march-for-divestment-at-lsu/
12. https://x.com/RedWave_Press/status/1786472337077903789
13. https://x.com/StopAntisemites/status/1453772478967427076?prefetchTimestamp=1723056359288
14. JBN News. “Survey Exposes Shocking Extent of Jewish Fear in America. 10 June 2024.
15. https://www.claimscon.org/study/
16. European Commission Against Racism and Intolerance-ECRI’s Opinion on the Working Definition of Antisemitism (adopted at ECRI’s 84th Plenary Meeting on 2 December 2020).