France to adopt Holocaust remembrance group’s definition

France will adopt an international definition of anti-Semitism and look on anti-Zionism as one form of the hate crime, President Emmanuel Macron said.

Speaking at a dinner attended by Jewish leaders on Wednesday, Mr. Macron said a surge in anti-Semitic attacks in France was unprecedented since the Second World War and promised a crackdown, including a new law to tackle hate speech on the Internet.

France will adopt the definition of anti-Semitism set by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), he said, adding: “Anti-Zionism is one of the modern forms of anti-Semitism.”

The IHRA definition does not use the phrase “anti-Zionism” but does say denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination “e.g., by claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavour” is anti-Semitic.

Welcoming Mr. Macron’s actions, the World Jewish Congress said: ”This is just the beginning of a long road ahead. Adopting this definition of anti-Semitism must be followed by concrete steps to encode into law and ensure that this is enforced.”

The IHRA definition is not legally binding but does serve as an international guideline. Germany and Britain adopted the definition in texts in 2016, though the European Union in 2018 adopted a softer tone, calling the IHRA definition a “guidance tool” amid concern from some members that it could make criticism of Israeli policy, particularly with regards to Palestinians, difficult.