Over 200 academics and experts have introduced a new anti-Semitism definition known as the “Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism” (JDA) which allows the criticism of Israel. Unlike the contested IHRA definition which institutionalises the persecution of organisations or persons that oppose apartheid or criticise the apartheid regime, the new definition preserves, to a large extent, the right to freedom of opinion and expression. But Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) welcomed the alternative definition and expressed two main reservations through their statements. The first reservation points out that the definition still places Palestine/Israel as central to understanding antisemitism. It is “casting an undue shadow over Palestinian political speech and risks distracting from the real issue, which is, as always, white supremacy and racism.” While the second is related to action in which “defining antisemitism does not actually do the work of dismantling antisemitism and all forms of racism. Instead, we need to form a united front against the rightwing politicians and governments that foment racism, hatred and fear.”
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