Barnet has become the first ever UK council to adopt an official definition for anti-Semitism.
The borough has recently been subject to a spate of prejudiced hate crimes and attacks, including a woman being pelted with eggs and a brick thrown through the window of a family home.
Following motions put forward by Labour leader Barry Rawlings and Conservative Edgware councillor Brian Gordon, the council now defines anti-Semitism by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) guidelines.
The definition was approved for adoption by a meeting of all Barnet councillors in Hendon town hall, the Burroughs, last night (January 31).
IHRA defines anti-Semitism as “a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews.
“Rhetorical and physical manifestations of anti-Semitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”
As the world commemorated Holocaust Memorial Day over the week, London mayor Sadiq Khan, former prime minister Tony Blair and local security charity Shomrim were among those to condemn the incidents.
Council leader Richard Cornelius said: “The attacks on members of the Jewish community in Barnet were deplorable and cowardly.
“Sadly it shows, despite Barnet’s well-earned reputation for tolerance and diversity, there is still work to do.
“Anti-Semitism has no place in our society, whether in politics or the wider community.”
Cllr Barry Rawlings, who represents Coppetts, expressed his happiness at the two sides of Barnet Council coming together in agreement on the issue.
He said: “We must never forget that the Holocaust did not begin with killing, it began with words.
“Barnet has the largest Jewish population in the country, and it is right and proper we are the first local authority to adopt this definition of anti-Semitism.”
Anyone with further information about the anti-Semitic hate crimes and graffiti which as appeared across Barnet in Edgware, Hendon and Mill Hill have been asked to contact police at 101.
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