Germany’s Left Party Adopts New Definition of Antisemitism Amid Global Debate
The German Left Party, Die Linke, has adopted the Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism (JDA) as its official definition, differentiating it from the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition. Notably, the JDA does not classify the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement as inherently antisemitic.
Antisemitism, which is the devaluation and hostility towards Jewish people and Judaism, has evolved over time. After World War II, new motifs emerged, such as Holocaust denial or claims that Jewish people exploit the Holocaust. Originally rooted in Christian anti-Judaism and 19th-century racist ideologies, it has manifested in discrimination, conspiracy theories, and violence.
The Nazi regime radicalized antisemitism into a program of extermination, resulting in the murder of six million Jewish people. Today, the focus often shifts to the predominantly Jewish state of Israel, making it challenging to distinguish legitimate criticism of Israeli policy from antisemitic statements. The IHRA provides a working definition, while the JDA offers an alternative to distinguish valid criticism from antisemitism. Critics, however, argue that the IHRA definition overemphasizes certain forms of antisemitism and could potentially restrict freedom of expression.
Die Linke's adoption of the Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the definition of antisemitism. While the JDA aims to distinguish legitimate criticism of Israel from antisemitism, the complexity of the issue and its historical roots continue to pose challenges in recognition and response.
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