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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.
Here are ten such stories from July 2024:
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 tweeted. “It’s a significant step forward in our collective efforts against antisemitism. As we gather in Buenos Aires today, we recognize this as just the beginning. We call on more states and international organizations to join us in this crucial mission to safeguard Jewish communities and promote a world free from antisemitism.”
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
CAM CEO Sacha Roytman issued a statement praising Meta’s decision to ban the term “Zionists” as a negative substitute term for Jewish people and Israelis in relation to certain types of hateful attacks.
“We applaud this decision take by Meta’s Policy Forum, and the understanding that appropriating the term ‘Zionists’ to hide blatant Jew hatred has no place on their platforms,” Roytman said. “This is an important first step toward ending the immunity and impunity for antisemites online.”
“For too long, antisemites have been allowed their incitement and Jew-hatred by merely changing key words like ‘Zionists’ and ‘Zionism,’ which is the national liberation movement of the Jewish people in its indigenous and ancestral homeland,” he added. “The Jewish people’s enemies have not only appropriated Jewish indigenous terminology, but they have also used it as a weapon against us. Meta’s decision is welcome because it recognizes this and draws a heavy red line against it.”
BREAKING: From today, @Meta’s new hate speech policy will remove content targeting Zionists with claims about running the world, controlling the media, dehumanization, calls for harm, or denials of existence.
We have pushed for this for years. Finally Meta has done what’s right. pic.twitter.com/u6H6LfL1jR
— Combat Antisemitism Movement (@CombatASemitism) July 9, 2024
Read More: CAM Signs Joint Letter Applauding Meta’s Decision to Fight New Forms of Antisemitism
More Than 1,000 Stand With Jewish People at ‘Colombia Bless Israel’ Rally in Bogotá
More than 1,000 people, including leading political figures, gathered in the Colombian capital of Bogotá on Sunday for the “Colombia Bless Israel” event hosted by Kehilat Yovel, the main partner of CAM in Colombia. Co-organizers included CAM, March of Life, and Keren Kayemet LeIsrael (KKL) – Colombia.
The speakers lineup featured Pastor Raul Rubio, Rabbi Yosef Garmon, YouTuber Sergio Bacari, and CAM Director of Hispanic Affairs Shay Salamon.
“The ties that exist are strong and transcend any political and thought differences,” Salamon said. “The friendship and brotherhood that unite both peoples are fundamental pillars to continue moving toward a more peaceful, prosperous, and hate-free future.”
“Let us unite in this effort to build a future where love and understanding are the pillars of our society,” he added. “Let us remember that together we can build a future where peace and justice shine for all.”
¡Colombia bendice a Israel! 🇮🇱🇨🇴
Emocionados por tener la oportunidad de compartir unas palabras en este gran evento lleno de emociones y muestras de solidaridad que nos recuerdan que la fuerza del amor, el respeto y la tolerancia es capaz de unirnos por encima de cualquier… pic.twitter.com/JTaYANracL— CAM en Español (@CAMenEspanol) July 15, 2024
CAM and the European Association for the Preservation and Promotion of Jewish Culture and Heritage (AEPJ), with the support of the Kiriaty Foundation, have announced a new joint venture, the “European Cities Embracing Jewish Heritage” project.
The aim of the initiative is to leverage municipal-oriented approaches to foster knowledge and understanding of European Jewish heritage and highlight the social and cultural contributions of Jewish communities across the continent today, against the backdrop of the ongoing post-October 7th global surge of antisemitism. The project will help municipal authorities devise and implement effective action plans and programming against antisemitism, including promotion of activities surrounding the annual European Days of Jewish Culture.
“Celebrating Jewish heritage in cities is crucial because cities serve as vibrant cultural hubs where diverse communities come together,” said CAM Director of European Affairs Oriana Marie Krüger. “By honoring the rich history and contributions of European Jews, we not only acknowledge their unique role in shaping municipal identities, but also nurture deeper social understanding and intercommunal unity.”
CAM was honored to participate in the 51st Annual Meeting of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) in Denver, Colorado. Board of Governors member Arie Lipnick and Director of Public Policy Eliana Goodman attended the conference on behalf of CAM, and Goodman joined a roundtable discussion on free speech policies. In her remarks, Goodman talked about the surge of antisemitism Jewish American students have faced in the aftermath of October 7th.
“Since that horrific day, antisemitic hate, discrimination, targeting, and violence has exploded here in the United States,” Goodman said. “Throughout this past academic year, college and university campuses, as well as K-12 schools, have become hotbeds of antisemitic activity as students, faculty, administrators, and outside adult agitators participated in anti-Israel demonstrations, lock-ins, encampments, and ‘occupations.’”
CAM also sponsored a panel on antisemitism, with participants including recent Harvard graduate Shabbos Kestenbaum, Florida State Representative Randy Fine, and Texas State Senator Phil King. The moderator was Aryeh Lightstone, former advisor to U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman.
Stellar @ALEC_states panel with @lightstonea, @PhilKingTX, @VoteRandyFine and @ShabbosK about university campuses and Israel.
The panel, sponsored by CAM, concluded that antisemitism is not just a Jewish or Israel issue, but an American issue.
#ALECINCO #ALECideas #ALEC24 pic.twitter.com/7kZgcCWVQw
— Combat Antisemitism Movement (@CombatASemitism) July 26, 2024
North Carolina Becomes 37th US State to Adopt IHRA Antisemitism Definition
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper signed a bipartisan bill, the SHALOM Act, defining antisemitism under state law, using the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism.
The legislation says, “North Carolina adopts the Working Definition of Antisemitism adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance on May 26, 2016, including the contemporary examples of antisemitism set forth therein, as a tool and guide for training, education, recognizing, and combating antisemitic hate crimes or discrimination and for tracking and reporting antisemitic incidents in this State.”
The full text of the SHALOM Act can be read HERE.
The North Carolina state senate passed the SHALOM Act, which codifies the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition and contemporary examples of Jew-hatred into law, by a margin of 45 to two.https://t.co/wYto09Cauk
— Jewish News Syndicate (@JNS_org) June 27, 2024
Visiting US Social Media Influencers Sample Israeli Wines at Tel Aviv Event
The Israel Wine Collection — an initiative launched by CAM — hosted a private wine tasting event in Tel Aviv for a visiting delegation of social media influencers visiting Israel on an American Jewish Committee (AJC) Project Interchange fact-finding mission.
The gathering, which served as the delegation’s closing dinner, was held at Hagefen Wine Courtyard in Jaffa. The delegation heard presentations from two Israeli winemakers, Dror Engelshtein from Underdog Vineyards and Elad Katzh from Agur Winery, as well as CAM Director of Community Engagement Shira Granot, co-founder of the Israel Wine Collection.
Canada Appoints Special Adviser On Antisemitism, Jewish Communal Relations
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the appointment of Member of Parliament Anthony Housefather as a special adviser on Jewish community relations and antisemitism. Trudeau noted that Housefather, a member of the Liberal Party who has pushed back on anti-Israel efforts among his colleagues, would work toward “continuing to make sure Jewish Canadians’ voices are heard, protecting Jewish Canadian communities and making Canada more inclusive for everyone.”
Grateful to be appointed as Prime Minister’s Special Advisor on Jewish Community Relations and Antisemitism. Jewish Canadians need to feel safe in our communities, on campus and in Canadian life. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/x6CzNbaz8j
— Anthony Housefather (@AHousefather) July 5, 2024
Australian Prime Minister Names Jillian Segal as First Australian Antisemitism Envoy
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese named Jewish lawyer and business leader Jillian Segal as the nation’s first antisemitism envoy, in response to the rise of Jewish people being targeted amid the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict. Segal is an accomplished lawyer with extensive business experience, including as deputy chancellor of UNSW, serving on the board of the National Australia Bank and as a president of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ). Announcing her appointment as special envoy for three years, Albanese said Segal’s appointment would promote social cohesion.
There is no place for violence, hatred or discrimination of any kind in Australia.
And as part of my Government’s work to promote social cohesion, we have appointed Jillian Segal AO as Special Envoy to combat Antisemitism. pic.twitter.com/e1OMFS76Ih
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) July 9, 2024
Ohio Law Requires Colleges to Adopt Harassment Policies
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed the Enact CAMPUS Act into law, requiring the state’s public and private higher education institutions to adopt and enforce policies on racial, religious and ethnic harassment and intimidation.
The law came in response to a reported rise in antisemitic incidents on college campuses in the aftermath of October 7th.
Ohio Law Requires Colleges to Adopt Harassment Policies https://t.co/69TPYfYqlG pic.twitter.com/JtuJEVZ6Bf
— Inside Higher Ed (@insidehighered) July 26, 2024
The full text of the Enact CAMPUS Act can be read HERE.
