Item 27 - Resolution Condemning Antisemitic Violence

Home Browse Search

City Manager Office www.santa-ana.org/cm Item # 27 City of Santa Ana 20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701 Staff Report January 18, 2022 TOPIC: Resolution Condemning Antisemitic Violence AGENDA TITLE: Resolution Condemning the Recent Rise in Antisemitic Violence and Harassment Targeting Jewish People, and Standing in Solidarity with those Affected by Antisemitism RECOMMENDED ACTION Adopt a resolution condemning the recent rise in antisemitic violence and harassment targeting Jewish people, and standing in solidarity with those affected by antisemitism. DISCUSSION Background At the June 3, 2021 meeting, Councilmember Lopez added the following councilmember requested item: Discuss and consider directing the City Manager to direct staff to prepare a resolution condemning antisemitic violence. There was consensus among all members of the City Council to proceed with the agenda item. Antisemitism: Definitions In 1998 the international Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) was founded in order to unite governments and experts to strengthen, advance and promote Holocaust education, research, and remembrance worldwide. The members of the IHRA approved an authoritative definition of Antisemitism for use by governments and international organizations worldwide. This definition reads as follows: “Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred towards Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish and community institutions and religious facilities.” In the United States, this definition is used by various government and law enforcement agencies in monitoring, training, and education, including the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education. Despite these efforts of training and education,