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New York Times Claims Internationally Embraced Anti-Semitism Definition Is "Disputed"
(CAMERA) Tamar Sternthal - The New York Times reported on July 27 about the departure of Kenneth L. Marcus as the U.S. Education Department's civil rights chief, claiming, "he unilaterally adopted a disputed definition of anti-Semitism that includes opposition to the State of Israel." In fact, the definition in question was previously adopted by the U.S. State Department under the Obama administration and has been praised by the American Jewish Committee and Anti-Defamation League. It is virtually identical to the definition developed by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, adopted by 26 countries and the EU. Regarding Israel, the definition explicitly states: "Criticism of Israel similar to that leveled against any other country cannot be regarded as anti-Semitic." But it defines anti-Semitism as "Using the symbols and images associated with classic anti-Semitism to characterize Israel or Israelis," "Drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis," "Blaming Israel for all inter-religious or political tensions," "Applying double standards by requiring of it behavior not expected or demanded of any other democratic nation," "Multilateral organizations focusing on Israel only for peace or human rights investigations," and "Denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, and denying Israel the right to exist."