Missouri Governor Mike Parson signed a declaration that adopted the working definition of antisemitism as established by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA).
The declaration additionally recognized September 2023 as Jewish American Heritage Month in Missouri.
The governor’s proclamation highlights a historical connection between Missouri and Israel among its premises, recounting how President Harry S. Truman, who himself was from Missouri, was “the first world leader to officially recognize Israel as a legitimate Jewish state on May 14, 1948.”
“While we always want to recognize, honor, and appreciate the contributions members of the Jewish faith make to our culture and communities across the state,” Governor Parson said, “we especially want to do so during Jewish American Heritage Month. We also want to take this opportunity to unequivocally reject antisemitism towards Jewish people and bigotry of any kind. Today and every day, we say hate and discrimination have no home in Missouri.”
The declaration goes on to celebrate the long history of Jews in the state, recognizing their roles as community leaders and contributors to Missouran society.
Senior members of Missouri’s leadership, including Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe, Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick, State Treasurer Vivek Malek, and Attorney General Andrew Bailey all commended the governor’s declaration supporting Missouri’s Jewish community.
