Monday, 18 September 2017

Brent anti-Semitism motion redrafted to remove IHRA examples

Following the changes in the allegiances of Brent Conservative councillors (Cllrs Davidson and Maurice have moved to Brent Conservative Group) the motion on anti-semitism at tonight's Council meeting has been amended as follows:
Full Council – 18 September 2017 Amendments to the Conservative Group motion

Given the change in political composition of the Council, notice has been received of an alteration to the mover and wording of the original motion submitted by the Conservative Group. The alterations proposed are as follows:

Motion to be submitted in the name of Councillor Reg Colwill and to read as follows (thus deleting the section relating to the guidelines):

This Council notes with alarm the rise in antisemitism in recent years across the UK. This includes incidents when criticism of Israel has been expressed using antisemitic tropes. Criticism of Israel can be legitimate, but not if it employs the tropes and imagery of antisemitism.

We therefore welcome the UK Government’s announcement on December 11th 2016 that it will sign up to the internationally recognised International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) guidelines on antisemitism which define antisemitism thus:

“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.”

This Council welcomes the cross-party support within the Council for combatting antisemitism in all its manifestations and pledges to combat this pernicious form of racism.

Councillor Reg Colwill Leader Conservative Group Kenton Ward

This brings the motion in line with the view of Brent and Harrow PSC LINK

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