GC45 WF41: SW06 The IHRA Antisemitism Definition for Summer 2025

Most discussion groups discussed this proposal. 

Of those, most supported implementation, with some asking for consideration of merging with other proposals about Palestine. 

At the General Council in 2022, direction was given to provide education around antisemitism. There is education on antisemitism that is currently delivered as part of the United Church’s justice and anti-racism work. 

WF13 – HF01, SW02, SW03, SW05 directs the General Secretary to take action relating to Palestine in alignment with the Principles for Justice Work, and so that should be considered in the actions outlined here. 

That the 45th General Council, 2025: 

1. Formally endorse the Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism (JDA) definition of antisemitism in preference to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism
2. Direct the General Secretary to apply the Principles for Justice Work in taking actions such as:
   1. communicate this endorsement of the JDA definition in preference to the IHRA definition to governments and government agencies in Canada that have adopted the IHRA working definition of antisemitism; and
   2. communicate with the Canadian government, and urge that the IHRA Handbook and IHRA working definition not be promoted for use in law enforcement, the legal system, education and educational institutions, government programming, work places and civil society, in the manner recommended in the Handbook, because the IHRA working definition does not sufficiently respect the rights of Canadians guaranteed by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
3. Direct the General Secretary to apply the Principles for Justice Work in working work with the United Network for Justice and Peace in Palestine and Israel (UNJPPI), the Justice for Palestine Network, and other partners and allies, including partners in the region, to:
   1. develop review and, as appropriate, enhance existing educational resources concerning what is and is not antisemitic, with a particular focus on advocacy on issues related to Palestine and Israel; and
   2. develop strategies for using the educational resources together with other tools and resources to increase the understanding of United Church people and their efforts to help end the Israeli military occupation of Palestine and to bring equal rights and justice for all people living between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea.