Dear Distinguished Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin 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).

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 Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin 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 US 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 Wisconsin is very clear. Wisconsin public radio reported on March 14, 2023 that Antisemitic incidents soared for the seventh year in a row according to an annual audit report from The Jewish Community Relations council. They reported that from 2021 -2022 there was an 83% rise in hate groups distributing of antisemitic leaflets containing conspiracy theories. (5)
There already was an alarming rise in antisemitism on the campuses in Wisconsin prior to October 7th. In 2022 there was a 225 % rise in antisemitic acts on college campuses and a 25% rise in schools K-12. (5)
The following year in 2023 there was a 257% rise in antisemitic harassments and assaults from the previous year according to report released by the Jewish Community Relations Council of Milwaukee Jewish Federation. The report also found that 64% of the incidents happened post October 7th. From 2022-2023 there has been a 433% increase in targeting Jewish institutions. Since 2015, there has been a 570% increase in Antisemitic events. (6)

These figures are a stark contrast to the historical acceptance that Jewish Americans in Wisconsin have enjoyed and treasured for decades. It is precisely this change in attitudes and action that is of grave concern and merits immediate attention and proactive legislation.

On the first day of school, September 9, 2022, at the University of Wisconsin-Madison antisemitic chalk messages targeting the Jews were scrawled. They called Jews, “racist,” genocidal” and “having blood their hands.” (7)

Since October 7, 2023, the day that Israel was victim of the deadliest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, antisemitic incidents on the campuses of University of Wisconsin- Madison and Milwaukee have had a terrifying uptake. A group calling itself the UWM Popular University for Palestine, a coalition of anti-Zionist groups on campus, at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, threatened Jews by posting on Instagram in mid-July, “We will no longer normalize genocidal extremists walking our campuses.” They state the organizations they will target include any organization that supports Israel including Hillel and Jewish Federation. “We are watching Israel’s legitimacy and international recognition fall to pieces on the world stage. Any organization that has not separated themselves from Israel will be treated as criminal extremists.” (emphasis in the original). This post has since been deleted, but it alarmed the local Jewish community who understood it “as a declaration of violence to come.” (8)

University of Wisconsin has approximately 5,200 Jewish students. The district attorney is currently investigating this post. However, he originally said that these statements were protected by the first amendment. As of July 24, the university was the only non-Jewish entity to condemn this post. Moreover, Professor Shale Horowitz said that until recently ( July 24) the university “had refused to address antisemitism as a stand-alone issue, denouncing both “antisemitism and Islamophobia” despite there having been little evidence of the latter and many instances of the former, including an incident in which an anti-Zionist mob descended on a Hillel event calling for “intifada” and a “free Palestine, from the river to the sea.” (8)

In addition, Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee, Mark Mone, praised the pro Palestine/ Hamas encampments as exercising free speech despite them being illegal. Algemeiner Journal states, “that these incidents leave Jewish students feeling unprotected, vulnerable, and unsure about their future in this country.” (8) The former chief of police of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, David Salazer after being asked by Chancellor Mark Mone to investigate the antisemitic incidents on campus, “determined (that) the claims of antisemitism were true.” In the spring he said that the leadership of the university was “reluctant to address” these incidents.” (9)

Wisconsin needs to adopt into law the IHRA definition of antisemitism which includes the vilification of the State of Israel so that there is clarity about what is permissible exercise of the first amendment and what is not!

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 (10).

These increases in rates of antisemitic incidences 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 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 (11).

In spring 2021 the state of Wisconsin passed the Wisconsin Act 30 that requires “that districts ensure that the Holocaust and other genocides be incorporated at least once in grades 5-8 and at least once in grades 9-12 as part of the social studies curriculum.” (12) The need for clear and consistent instruction on the Holocaust and all forms of modern antisemitism has become even more necessary since October 7. 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.

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

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

It is imperative that Wisconsin 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 (13). This process is required to ultimately ensure the safety of and haven for Jews in Wisconsin.

Additionally, Global Guidelines for Countering Antisemitism was released in Buenos Aires, Argentina on July 17, 2024 and published on the Department of State website (14). This is yet another resource that Wisconsin officials may utilize to implement into the law the IHRA definition of antisemitism.

Jews in Wisconsin have a right to safely take charge of their destiny to live safely as Jews and Americans in their own communities. In 1851 Wisconsin adopted its motto of “Forward” reflecting the state’s desire to be a leader. (15) Wisconsin can move forward and all this achieved immediately and meaningfully.

We ask that you respond appropriately for the Jews of Wisconsin and support enacting the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism, including its examples of contemporary antisemitism, into Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin 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,

Full letter with references: https://tinyurl.com/WisconsinLetterReferences