A proposed bill getting bipartisan support in Wisconsin would require state agencies to follow the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working definition of antisemitism. Our guest today, Raz Segal, tells host Esty Dinur that this definition is not only vague but actually produces antisemitism contrary to its stated goal.

The IHRA working definition of antisemitism conflates criticism of Israel and its policies with antisemitism. It imagines there is one way to be a Jew and so it can be used to targeting anti-Zionist Jews or Jews who criticize Israel. The definition offers 11 examples of antisemitism, the majority of which focus on Israel and not on Jews. Segal says that the goal of the definition is to shield Israel from criticism.

They also discuss why the US government would be interested in regulating free speech about a foreign country. Segal says that if we came to terms with the atrocities that Israel is waging against Palestinians, we would have to face settler colonialism. Then, we’d have to face that settler colonialism is a reality in the US as well, says Segal. He argues that we don’t need the IHRA definition because there are already protections against discrimination and singling out antisemitism contributes to Israel and Holocaust exceptionalism. You can read more about the how the IHRA working definition threatens free speech here.

Dr. Raz Segal is Associate Professor of Holocaust and Genocide Studies and Endowed Professor in the Study of Modern Genocide at Stockton University, where he also serves as the director of the Master of Arts in Holocaust and Genocide Studies and founding coordinator of the Refugee Studies Initiative.

Featured image of a Jews for Peace rally in LA via Flickr (CC BY-ND 2.0).

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