Combat Anti-Semitism Movement Reaches 300,000 Members Milestone as Activities Continue to Expand

December 7, 2020

The Combat Anti-Semitism Movement (CAM) announced today that more than 300,000 individuals have now joined CAM’s coalition, pledging their support in the fight against anti-Semitism. It is the latest milestone for CAM, which works closely with individuals, interfaith groups, local and national governments, and social media platforms to combat anti-Semitism. CAM is a nonpartisan movement. 

Since its launch in February 2019, in addition to 300,000 grassroots individuals, more than 295 organizations have also joined CAM to confront anti-Semitism on all sides of the ideological spectrum. The CAM Pledge draws upon the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of anti-Semitism and its list of specific behaviors used to discriminate against the Jewish people and the Jewish State of Israel.

Joseph I. Lieberman, Senior Advisor to CAM, Former United States Senator (D-CT) & Former Democratic Vice-Presidential Nominee: “The fight against anti-Semitism is not just a Jewish cause, but one that impacts and tests the values of our society at large. Because anti-Semitism comes from across the ideological spectrum and spreads on the internet, the battle against anti-Semitism must remain apolitical. CAM’s unique, grassroots approach is indispensable in today’s struggle against resurgent anti-Semitism.”

The CAM website provides a hub for news and resources. With over 75 editions, CAM’s weekly newsletter has reported thousands of articles, incidents, and government and civic responses.   On social media, CAM has built a following of tens of thousands on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

CAM has created a broad-based coalition of multifaith partner organizations to unite individuals of all backgrounds in the fight against anti-Semitism. CAM’s extensive range of partners includes the Jewish Federations of North America, International Christian Embassy of Jerusalem, and the American Muslim & Multifaith Empowerment Council.

Eric Fingerhut, President & CEO, Jewish Federations of North America: “The Combat Anti-Semitism Movement’s partnership-based approach is strategically important and critical in order to effectively fight anti-Semitism. The Jewish community must be united in this fight and must also work collaboratively with interfaith partners and allies from other communities so that we may successfully turn back the tide of rising anti-Semitism together.”

As the Coronavirus pandemic took hold, CAM developed important and innovative online  events. A digital conference with 30,000 attendees was held at the outset of the pandemic to announce the winners of CAM’s first Venture Creative Contest, highlighting outside-the-box efforts to fight anti-Semitism worldwide. The awards ceremony for the second round of the contest will be held in the coming months.

CAM alongside the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ), held a digital event on Israel’s response to the Coronavirus crisis and rising anti-Semitism, attracting over 35,000 Christians and Jews globally.

Susan M. Michael, USA Director of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem: “We at the ICEJ are proud to partner with the Combat Anti-Semitism Movement to help educate those within the Christian community about the need to combat anti-Semitism. This is a fight that impacts all of us, not just the Jewish people, and we all need to work together to defeat this evil scourge.” 

During a special studio event this past summer, CAM honored Secretary-General of the Muslim World League, Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa, with the inaugural Combat Anti-Semitism Award. Sheikh Dr. Al-Issa gave a historic speech describing the struggle against anti-Semitism as an Islamic obligation. He said, “We in the Muslim World League are proud to stand should to shoulder with our Jewish brothers and sisters to build understanding, respect, love and interreligious harmony.”

During another live studio event, CAM hosted leaders and representatives from around the world who recounted anti-Semitic incidents they had experienced that brought to life the 11 examples of anti-Semitism under the IHRA definition.

Sima Vaknin-Gil, Senior Advisor to CAM & Former Director General, Israeli Ministry of Strategic Affairs: “Anti-Semitism is not a problem for Jews alone, rather it is a symptom of a greater danger to the delicate fabric of cultural life and is a threat to democratic values everywhere. The Movement’s organizing principle of a global, grassroots, interfaith coalition to counter this danger, is a brilliant and necessary idea.”

Most recently, CAM partnered with the Parliament of Albania and the Jewish Agency for Israel to host the inaugural 2020 Balkans Forum Against Anti-Semitism. Just prior to the event, the Republic of Albania adopted the IHRA definition, becoming the first major Muslim-Majority nation to do so. This historic summit with heads of state, parliamentarians and other dignitaries created a united front among Balkans countries to eradicate anti-Semitism.

During 2021, CAM will continue to host events, develop initiatives, and grow its movement of activists, partner organizations, federal and local governments, and anyone else willing to fight anti-Semitism, stand up for for the Jewish people, their homeland and values important to all of humanity.

Combat Anti-Semitism Movement Director Sacha Roytman-Dratwa: “As our movement continues to grow, we are grateful for the outpouring of support that we receive from grassroots individuals and our amazing partners. Reaching 300,000 supporters is a significant milestone for our movement and reinforces the importance of our mission. Now more than ever, we need to unite to defeat this irrational hatred. I look forward to joining with thousands of new partners in the essential fight ahead.”