StandWithUs Praises Westchester County for Adopting the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism

StandWithUs praises Westchester County Executive George Latimer, who issued an Executive Order adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism for County agencies on January 17, 2023. 

Avi Posnick, StandWithUs Northeast Director stated, “Adopting the IHRA Definition is a critically important step towards identifying, reporting, recording, and defeating antisemitism. County Executive Latimer assumes a position as one of NY state leaders in the fight against what many have called ‘the oldest hate.’ We praise your courage and wisdom.”

The Executive Order recognizes that the dangerous virus of antisemitism has emerged again around the globe, including in the United States with cases of assault, harassment, and vandalism against Jews, as well as online attacks, at near-historic levels. American Jews feel more vulnerable than ever before. Jewish community members and students—especially those who wear Jewish symbols, support Israel’s existence, and refuse to reject their religious, ethnic, and/or national identity—often find themselves subject to marginalization, discrimination, harassment and worse. The Executive Order mandates that County agencies in Westchester, NY, adopt and use the IHRA Definition and its 11 examples as a guideline to identify, report, and stem antisemitism. 

StandWithUs was proud to work in partnership with: ADL New York; AJC Westchester/Fairfield; Hillels of Westchester; Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center; UJA-Federation of NY/Westchester; Westchester Board of Rabbis; Westchester Jewish Council.

StandWithUs (SWU) is an international, non-profit and non-partisan Israel education organization that works to inspire and educate people of all ages about Israel, as well as challenge misinformation and fight against antisemitism.