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Anti-Semitism: Official definition 'will fight hatred' Anti-Semitism: Official definition 'will fight hatred'
(about 3 hours later)
Having one official definition of anti-Semitism will mean those guilty of hatred of Jews will be "called out on it", Theresa May will say later. The government plans to adopt an international definition of anti-Semitism to help tackle hatred towards Jews.
Police, councils, universities and public bodies can use the wording, the prime minister will say in a speech. Police, councils, universities and public bodies can adopt the wording, Theresa May will say in a speech later.
The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), which the UK belongs to, created the definition.
It calls anti-Semitism a "perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews."
Prime Minister Theresa May will argue that a clear definition means anyone guilty of anti-Semitism in "essence, language or behaviour" will be "called out on it".
The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance hopes its definition, agreed this year, will be adopted globally.The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance hopes its definition, agreed this year, will be adopted globally.
The definition calls anti-Semitism "a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews." It defines anti-Semitism as "a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews."
It goes on: "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." It adds: "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."
Legally bindingLegally binding
Downing Street said adopting the international definition would ensure people would not be able to get away with being anti-Semitic because the term was ill-defined, or because different organisations or bodies had different interpretations of it. Downing Street said anti-Semitic behaviour could be overlooked because the term is ill-defined, with different organisations adopting their own interpretations.
The IHRA - which is backed by 31 countries, including the UK, USA, Israel, France and Germany - set its working definition of what constituted anti-Semitic abuse in May.The IHRA - which is backed by 31 countries, including the UK, USA, Israel, France and Germany - set its working definition of what constituted anti-Semitic abuse in May.
The group said having a "legally binding working definition" would give countries the "political tools" to deal with anti-Jewish hate crime.The group said having a "legally binding working definition" would give countries the "political tools" to deal with anti-Jewish hate crime.
Conservative MP and special envoy for post-holocaust issues, Sir Eric Pickles, told the BBC the new definition "catches up with modern anti-Semitism". Conservative MP and special envoy for post-holocaust issues, Sir Eric Pickles, told the BBC that the new definition "catches up with modern anti-Semitism".
He said: "I think it's important not to conflate Jewish people with Israel... and that actually is the point in the definition." "I think it's important not to conflate Jewish people with Israel," he said. "That actually is the point in the definition."
'It is unacceptable''It is unacceptable'
Police in the UK already use a version of the definition. However, it will now also be used by other bodies, including councils.Police in the UK already use a version of the definition. However, it will now also be used by other bodies, including councils.
Mrs May will say: "There will be one definition of anti-Semitism - in essence, language or behaviour that displays hatred towards Jews because they are Jews - and anyone guilty of that will be called out on it."Mrs May will say: "There will be one definition of anti-Semitism - in essence, language or behaviour that displays hatred towards Jews because they are Jews - and anyone guilty of that will be called out on it."
She will add: "It is unacceptable that there is anti-Semitism in this country. It is even worse that incidents are reportedly on the rise."She will add: "It is unacceptable that there is anti-Semitism in this country. It is even worse that incidents are reportedly on the rise."
Last week, a man who subjected Labour MP Luciana Berger to an online campaign of anti-Semitic abuse was jailed for two years.Last week, a man who subjected Labour MP Luciana Berger to an online campaign of anti-Semitic abuse was jailed for two years.
It comes as the Community Security Trust said the number of anti-Semitic incidents in the UK increased by 11% between January and June - from 500 in the same period last year, to 557 this year.It comes as the Community Security Trust said the number of anti-Semitic incidents in the UK increased by 11% between January and June - from 500 in the same period last year, to 557 this year.
Communities Secretary Sajid Javid said anti-Semitism must be understood for what it is - "an attack on the identity of people who live, contribute and are valued in our society".Communities Secretary Sajid Javid said anti-Semitism must be understood for what it is - "an attack on the identity of people who live, contribute and are valued in our society".
"There can be no excuses for anti-Semitism or any other form of racism or prejudice," he said."There can be no excuses for anti-Semitism or any other form of racism or prejudice," he said.
"Crimes must always be reported, and the law enforced, but we also want to create an environment that prevents hate crime from happening in the first place.""Crimes must always be reported, and the law enforced, but we also want to create an environment that prevents hate crime from happening in the first place."
'Repugnant''Repugnant'
Labour, which has faced accusations that it has failed to tackle anti-Semitism in its own membership, welcomed the move.Labour, which has faced accusations that it has failed to tackle anti-Semitism in its own membership, welcomed the move.
A spokesman for Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said hatred towards Jews was "as repugnant and unacceptable as any other form of racism".A spokesman for Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said hatred towards Jews was "as repugnant and unacceptable as any other form of racism".
Earlier this year Baroness Chakrabarti, the former director of civil liberties group Liberty, chaired an inquiry into anti-Semitism in the party.Earlier this year Baroness Chakrabarti, the former director of civil liberties group Liberty, chaired an inquiry into anti-Semitism in the party.
It found the party was not overrun by anti-Semitism or other forms of racism, but there was an "occasionally toxic atmosphere".It found the party was not overrun by anti-Semitism or other forms of racism, but there was an "occasionally toxic atmosphere".