HomeMy WebLinkAboutresolution.council.182-23RESOLUTION NO. 182
(Series of 2023)
A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE WORKING DEFINITION OF ANTISEMITISM, AS
PROPOSED BY THE INTERNATIONAL HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE ALLIANCE.
WHEREAS, the City Council condemns in the strongest words possible antisemitism in all
of its forms; and
WHEREAS, the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance has found that
contemporary examples of antisemitism in public life, the media, schools, the workplace, and in the
religious sphere could, taking into account the overall context, include, but are not limited to:
• Calling for, aiding, or justifying the killing or harming of Jews in the name of a radical
ideology or an extremist view of religion.
• Making mendacious, dehumanizing, demonizing, or stereotypical allegations about Jews as
such or the power of Jews as collective — such as, especially but not exclusively, the myth
about a world Jewish conspiracy or of Jews controlling the media, economy, government or
other societal institutions.
• Accusing Jews as a people of being responsible for real or imagined wrongdoing committed
by a single Jewish person or group, or even for acts committed by non -Jews.
• Denying the fact, scope, mechanisms (e.g. gas chambers) or intentionality of the genocide of
the Jewish people at the hands of National Socialist Germany and its supporters and
accomplices during World War II (the Holocaust).
• Accusing the Jews as a people, or Israel as a state, of inventing or exaggerating the
Holocaust.
• Accusing Jewish citizens of being more loyal to Israel, or to the alleged priorities of Jews
worldwide, than to the interests of their own nations.
• Denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, e.g., by claiming that the
existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor.
• Applying double standards by requiring of it a behavior not expected or demanded of any
other democratic nation.
• Using the symbols and images associated with classic antisemitism (e.g., claims of Jews
killing Jesus or blood libel) to characterize Israel or Israelis.
• Drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis.
• Holding Jews collectively responsible for actions of the state of Israel.
WHEREAS, the City Council wishes to support the condemnation of antisemitism by
adopting through this resolution the definition of antisemitism proposed by the International
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Holocaust Remembrance Alliance and for the City of Aspen's condemnation to be a formal policy
of this City; and
WHEREAS, over 1000 entities worldwide, both public and private, including numerous
states, municipalities and counties in the United States have adopted this definition. Further
information is provided by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance in its website at
https://vvww.holocaustremembrance.com; and
WHEREAS, the City Council hereby finds that adopting a definition of "Antisemitism" is
an important step to ensure City staff and the community can identify and counter antisemitism not
only in the offering of City services, but also as part of our community standards.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ASPEN, COLORADO, THAT:
The City of Aspen adopts the following definition of Antisemitism, as proposed by the
International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance:
Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred
toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed
toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish
community institutions and religious facilities.
INTRODUCED, READ AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Aspen on
the 28t1' day of November 2023.
Torre, Mayor
I, Nicole Henning, duly appointed and acting City Clerk do certify that the foregoing is a
true and accurate copy of that resolution adopted by the City Council of the City of Aspen,
Colorado, at a meeting held on the day hereinabove st
Nicole Henning, City Clerk