Sir, – Some critics of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism claim that it restricts their ability to criticise Israel.
However, the definition clearly states that criticism of Israel similar to that levelled against any other country cannot be regarded as anti-Semitic.
The IHRA provides examples described as illustrations of language or actions that could, taking into account the overall context, be manifestations of anti-Semitism. In other words, there is no blanket claim that the examples given will always be anti-Semitic, only that they could be.
Are we really expected to believe the ability of pro-Palestinian activists to campaign is damaged by the IHRA definition?
Finally, contrary to the claim of Monjed Al-Tarifi (Letters, December 2nd), the IHRA definition is intended to protect all Jews, not only Holocaust survivors. – Yours, etc,
TERESA TRAINOR,
Dublin 16