The Chairperson of the Jewish Representative Council of Ireland, Maurice Cohen has welcomed a new report on antisemitism in Ireland by the journalist David Collier.
“Following the publication of David Collier’s excellent, comprehensive report into antisemitism in Ireland, The Jewish Representative Council of Ireland urges all Political Parties, as well as both Houses of the Oireachtas to immediately adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism to which the Government is already a European signatory. While this IHRA definition is non-binding, it importantly flags antisemitic behavior,” said Mr. Cohen in a statement.
“We further call on the Government to immediately appoint an envoy on antisemitism to the European Commission, as requested by the European Commission several years ago.
“On Monday 47 countries signed a UNHRC pledge to fight antisemitism. So far Ireland has not signed this pledge. The Government should do so without further delay,” Mr. Cohen continued.
“The need for the above measures is urgent. They will not be covered in the proposed new legislation on racism. Only yesterday, Galway West, Deputy Catherine Connolly and Leas Ceann Comhairle strayed into classic antisemitic language by perpetuating the trope of ‘Jewish supremacy’.”
“Finally, the report gives additional insight into the shocking background to the circumstances which resulted in Alan Shatter, who was the State’s first and only Jewish Minister for Justice & Defence, being wrongly condemned and forced to resign in 2014. What happened besmirches the reputation of the State. His total exoneration requires that the Government no longer delay issuing a public apology on behalf of the Irish State.”
The report is available here
