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The Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) publishes a regular feature highlighting “good news” in the fight against the world’s oldest hatred, including actions taken by governing entities at the international, national, regional, and local levels.
Here are the top government actions by month from 2024:
January
Australia Bans Nazi Salute, Swastika, Other Hate Symbols in Public as Antisemitism Spikes
Australian lawmakers banned the performance of the Nazi salute in public and outlawed the display or sale of Nazi hate symbols such as the swastika in landmark legislation that went into effect in the country Monday. The new laws also make the act of glorifying or praising acts of terrorism a criminal offense.
#BREAKING: From today, publicly performing the Nazi salute or displaying Nazi hate symbols are criminal offences.
The new federal legislation, which also outlaws glorifying acts of terrorism, could see offenders jailed for up to 12 months. #9News
MORE: https://t.co/8S6rg9vPQp pic.twitter.com/tIHchoexeH
— 9News Australia (@9NewsAUS) January 7, 2024
February
The Las Vegas City Council approved a resolution to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism and use it as an educational tool for municipal agencies, including law enforcement. The Las Vegas City Council was the 91st U.S. municipal body to adopt the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism.
Today, the Las Vegas City Council passed my resolution recognizing the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism as a powerful statement against hatred, showing solidarity with the Jewish community and a commitment to fighting antisemitism. The… pic.twitter.com/zlIdY6Do90
— Councilwoman Victoria Seaman (@VictoriaDseaman) February 7, 2024
March
UK Unveils New Extremism Definition Amid Rise in Hate Crimes
Britain unveiled a new definition of extremism in response to an eruption of hate crimes against Jews and Muslims since the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel. Antisemitic incidents rose by 147% in 2023 to record levels, fueled by the Oct. 7 attacks, according to Community Security Trust, a Jewish safety watchdog.
Michael Gove names groups as he unveils extremism definition https://t.co/1hEjmbVoqf
— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) March 14, 2024
April
Virginia Governor Youngkin Signs Into Law Hate Crime Bills Aimed at Curbing Antisemitism
Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) signed into law a pair of bills that strengthen hate crime laws, building on efforts to curb antisemitism in Virginia. The legislation expands state statutes for hate crimes to include crimes committed against people because of their ethnic origin. Youngkin signed SB7 and HB18 into law and said they would protect people who are Jewish, Muslim, and Sikh, among other groups, from hate crimes.
May
Canada Lists Iran’s Revolutionary Guards as a Terrorist Group
Canada listed Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, after years of pressure from opposition legislators and some members of the Iranian diaspora. Announcing the decision, Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc called it a “significant tool in fighting global terrorism.” The move will mean that thousands of senior Iranian government officials, including top IRGC officials, will be barred from entering Canada.
Today, our government announced the listing of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist entity under Canada’s Criminal Code. pic.twitter.com/WxaGHx9SKQ
— Dominic LeBlanc (@DLeBlancNB) June 19, 2024
June
Germany’s Domestic Intelligence Agency Handling BDS Movement as ‘Suspected Extremist Case’
Germany’s Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, the state’s federal domestic intelligence agency, in a new report issued by Germany’s Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, reported that it was treating the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement as a “suspected extremist case.” The report noted that the movement had “links to secular Palestinian extremism.” It also stated that there were “sufficiently strong factual indications” that the BDS “violates the idea of international understanding.”
Germany’s domestic intelligence agency handling BDS movement as ‘suspected extremist case’. Nancy Faeser, Germany’s Federal Interior Minister, presented a report outlining BDS as an extremist movement, German media reported.https://t.co/jKrhP0npld
— The Jerusalem Post (@Jerusalem_Post) June 20, 2024
July
Representatives of 36 countries and international institutions endorsed the Global Guidelines for Countering Antisemitism at an event in Buenos Aires commemorating the 30th anniversary of the AMIA Jewish community center bombing in the Argentine capital.
“This comprehensive framework, crafted through months of collaboration among special envoys worldwide, lays out essential ‘best practices’ to combat Jew hatred effectively,” U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt.
Reflecting on the 30th anniversary of the AMIA terrorist attack and recent events like October 7th, the threat of antisemitism remains stark. That’s why my colleagues and I are taking action. Today, the United States and 35 other states and international bodies endorsed the…
— Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt (@StateSEAS) July 17, 2024
August
Nassau County Public Mask Ban ‘Pivotal Step in Combating Rise of Antisemitic Incidents’
Nassau County (New York) Executive Bruce Blakeman signed legislation banning the wearing of masks in public, with exceptions for health and religious reasons.
Blakeman said the bill “protects the public,” and county lawmaker Howard Kopel called it a response to “antisemitic incidents, often perpetrated by those in masks” following the October 7th massacre in Israel.
The new law makes it a misdemeanor for anyone in Nassau County to wear a face covering to hide their identity in public, and imposes punishments of up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine.
In recognition of his exemplary contributions to the local-level fight against rising Jew-hatred, @NassauExec Bruce Blakeman was honored with the CAM Civic Leadership Award at the #MayorsAgainstAntisemitism summit in Beverly Hills last week.https://t.co/WzmchjkPW0
— Combat Antisemitism Movement (@CombatASemitism) December 18, 2024
September
US Charges Hamas Leader in Connection With Oct. 7 Massacre in Israel
The U.S. Justice Department announced criminal charges against Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar and other Hamas leaders in connection with the Oct. 7, 2023, rampage in Israel, marking the first effort by American law enforcement to formally call out the masterminds of the attack. The seven-count criminal complaint filed in federal court in New York City includes charges such as conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization resulting in death, conspiracy to murder U.S. nationals and conspiracy to finance terrorism. It also accused Iran and Lebanon’s Hezbollah of providing financial support, weapons, including rockets, and military supplies to Hamas for use in attacks.
(AP) — The Justice Department announced criminal charges against Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and other militants in connection with the Oct. 7, 2023, rampage in Israel, marking the first effort by law enforcement to call out the masterminds of the attack. https://t.co/TNTHk076X5
— Eric Tucker (@etuckerAP) September 3, 2024
October
Dutch Parliament Votes to Designate Samidoun as Terror Organization
The Dutch Parliament voted to designate Samidoun as a terrorist organization, according to Dutch politician Diederik van Dijk and the European Jewish Congress (EJC). The motion, brought by van Dijk of the Reformed Political Party (SGP), passed 100 to 50. Samidoun is a Canada-registered organization that purports to focus on issues related to indicted Palestinian terrorists serving time in Israeli prisons. In 2021, Israel designated Samidoun, which serves as a proxy for the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), as a terror group. Germany joined Israel in 2023.
Dutch Parliament votes to designate Samidoun as terror organization tied to #PFLP https://t.co/tFLgkUVmZK
— Matthew Levitt (@Levitt_Matt) October 11, 2024
November
Germany’s Ruling Parties Agree on Landmark Resolution to Fight Antisemitism
Germany’s ruling parties agreed on a landmark resolution on combating antisemitism. The non-binding statement aimed to toughen the official campaign against antisemitism that has made headlines since the Hamas terror group’s October 7, 2023, onslaught in Israel sparked a still-ongoing war. Intensely debated by lawmakers of the ruling Social Democratic Party (SDP), Greens and Free Democrats (FDP) with the opposition Christian Democrats (CDU), the draft says no group that “questions the right of Israel to exist or calls for a boycott of Israel” should receive public funding.
Germany’s ruling parties agree on landmark resolution to fight antisemitism, which includes declaration that groups calling for boycotts of Israel or questioning its right to exist should not get public funding or access to public facilities.https://t.co/Ef5pTdRIbF
— The International Legal Forum – ILF (@The_ILF) November 3, 2024
December
Swiss Parliament Votes to Outlaw Hezbollah
Switzerland’s parliament voted to outlaw Hezbollah, in a rare move by the neutral country that has traditionally followed a policy of promoting international dialogue and mediation. The security policy committee that proposed the ban argued that Switzerland’s mediating role will remain intact thanks to a specific provision on peace talks and humanitarian aid.
Swiss parliament votes to outlaw Hezbollah https://t.co/kqd4ldnVJc
— ToI ALERTS (@TOIAlerts) December 17, 2024
