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For 15 years now, the State of Israel and the pro-Israel lobby have been pressing the European Union to promote a manipulated definition of anti-Semitism. While the definition itself is banal, it is accompanied by "examples" that fuel the conflation of perfectly legitimate criticism of the State of Israel and its policies with anti-Semitism. The goal is simple: to ensure the impunity of the State of Israel and to silence those who wish to oppose its crimes.

The second-latest episode took place on December 6th, when the Justice and Home Affairs Council of the European Union adopted a declaration on the fight against anti-Semitism. This declaration, prepared and negotiated in utmost secrecy, includes an Article 2 inviting Member States to adopt the aforementioned "definition". The AFPS learned that the "examples" in question were explicitly discarded during negotiations, but the Israeli propaganda machine acted as though these examples had been adopted.

At the Permanent Representatives Committee (Coreper 2) meeting held on December 19th in Brussels, France’s representative made a point of recalling that the Justice and Home Affairs Council had rejected the "examples" initially presented to it. The AFPS welcomes this contribution, as it marks France’s first block against the manipulation policy implemented by Israel’s lobby and its unconditional allies. The French authorities – whom the AFPS had alerted, and with whom the AFPS has been able to discuss the matter – confirmed that these remarks had been made.

The battle is not over yet, as the pro-Israel lobby will do everything in its power to press EU Member States to adopt this "definition" – including its examples. But at least it is now clear to everyone that the lobby is operating on the basis of lies and manipulation.

The AFPS calls upon all people of conscience not to allow the State of Israel to manipulate the fight against anti-Semitism and all forms of racism ; it is a fight that must be waged with strength and sincerity. The AFPS calls on France and all Member States of the European Union to explicitly and definitively reject this "definition" and never again let the State of Israel intervene in our internal affairs.

The AFPS Executive Board

20 December 2018