Item 8 (i)
Mr Tim Oliver (Weybridge) to move under standing order 11 as follows:
Last year, we made a commitment to ensure that no-one in Surrey is ‘left behind’. This local authority plays a vital role in representing all groups across Surrey and specifically in tackling all forms of hate crime.
The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) has developed a definition of antisemitism.
‘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.’
I call on this Council to demonstrate its commitment to engaging with the experiences of Jewish communities and supporting them against the challenges that they face. I seek the Council’s endorsement to adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism.
Minutes:
The Chairman introduced the motion noting that although there is a presumption that there will be no motions at the budget meeting of the Council, he used his discretion allow it in accordance with Standing Order 11.6. He highlighted that the motion on the agreement of the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism was timely as Holocaust Memorial Day occurred on 27 January 2020 - which also marked the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau.
Item 8 (i)
Under Standing Order 12.3 the Council agreed to debate this motion.
Under Standing Order 12.1 Mr Tim Oliver moved:
Last year, we made a commitment to ensure that no-one in Surrey is ‘left behind’. This local authority plays a vital role in representing all groups across Surrey and specifically in tackling all forms of hate crime.
The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) has developed a definition of antisemitism.
‘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.’
I call on this Council to demonstrate its commitment to engaging with the experiences of Jewish communities and supporting them against the challenges that they face. I seek the Council’s endorsement to adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism.
Mr Tim Oliver made the following points:
· Thanked the Chairman for accepting the motion and commented that the Council’s Holocaust Memorial Day last week led by the Chairman was a moving tribute.
· That it was important not to forget the senseless persecution of millions, particularly as prejudice, discrimination and inequality remained prevalent in society.
· That a society which celebrated diversity was crucial to expel bigotry.
The motion was formally seconded by Mr Botten, who made the following comments:
· That he was brought up in a time where there was a casual use of anti-Semitic language.
· Inherent prejudice remained in society, whether more overtly through fascistic emblems and Holocaust denial on social media, or presented more subtly through subtexts.
· Institutions that failed to call out anti-Semitism colluded through their silence, adopting a common definition allowed society to continually recognise what anti-Semitism meant and would show explicit resistance to it.
Eight Members made the following comments:
· On behalf of the Jewish community in Surrey, he thanked the Leader and Mr Botten for the motion.
· Noted that he grew up in a Jewish community in which many survived the Holocaust - notably Mayer Hersh MBE who was honoured for his services to Holocaust education.
· That it was unfortunate there was a need for the motion in 2020, explaining that he experienced anti-Semitism as an adult only once becoming politically active.
· That the international community shared the responsibility to tackle all hate crime faced by ethnic minorities, who must be protected against the worrying rise of violent extremist political ideologies.
· Society must challenge prejudice and lead in education to promote tolerance, by adopting the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism already endorsed by 31 member countries, the Council would set an example that it was committed to fighting such prejudice.
· Praised the recent service for Holocaust Memorial Day in the Council and thanked all those involved in its organisation.
· Supported all examples of anti-Semitism by IHRA and stressed that for the Council to ensure that no one was left behind, motions on Islamophobia and other discrimination definitions should be brought forward.
· Apologised for the Labour Party’s failings to address the issue despite its historical Jewish movement and hoped that the new leader of the Labour Party adopted the IHRA definition.
· Stated that his father was within the first set of soldiers to liberate Bergen-Belsen and noted that he was taught toleration in school. It was crucial to understand the strength of others’ religions and give them full support.
· Supported the adoption of the definition but was concerned that it focused on Jewish people rather than all minorities who had suffered from a rise in hate crime since Brexit. One side of the fight should not be chosen, as harmony was built on recognising the plight of oppressed people both Palestinians and Jews in Israel as an example.
· Commented that all should be respected irrespective of their faith, highlighting that she only realised she had faced casual anti-Semitism after having changed her maiden name.
· Recounted her personal family story and stated that it was important not to forget the untold stories of the millions killed in the Holocaust by openly declaring the abhorrence of anti-Semitism.
The Chairman asked Mr Tim Oliver, as proposer of the original motion, to conclude the debate.
· He urged cross-party support on the motion and recognised the need to address all forms of prejudice.
· That Cabinet had recent training on equality and diversity - to be rolled out across backbenchers and the wider organisation - whereby understanding unconscious bias was fundamental to stop discrimination.
The motion was put to a vote and received unanimous support.
Therefore, it was RESOLVED that:
Last year, we made a commitment to ensure that no-one in Surrey is ‘left behind’. This local authority plays a vital role in representing all groups across Surrey and specifically in tackling all forms of hate crime.
The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) has developed a definition of antisemitism.
‘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.’
I call on this Council to demonstrate its commitment to engaging with the experiences of Jewish communities and supporting them against the challenges that they face. I seek the Council’s endorsement to adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism.