‘Anti-Semitism’ has no EU official definition

Kevin McCarthy claims (Letters, Irish Examiner, July 7) that advocating for a one-state solution in Palestine and Israel “meets the EU’s definition of anti-Semitism”. 

Indeed, he says that “claiming the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavour” meets said definition.

However, as reported by the Times of Israel, Electronic Intifada and other sources as far back as 2013, the EU agency for combating racism dropped its definition of anti-semitism.

Spokeswoman for the EU Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA), Blanca Tapia, is quoted in the Times of Israel: “We are not aware of any official definition [of anti-Semitism]”.

Further to that, a FRA official confirmed to the European Jewish Press: “The EUMC working definition of anti-semitism is not an official EU definition and has not been adopted by FRA.”

Why then is Mr McCarthy using such a definition when it has been known for two years that it no longer exists?

I have to reiterate that criticism of any state does not amount to criticism of its citizens, and criticism of Israel’s policies of occupation and apartheid is not anti-semitism. Whatever solution is reached, it must be a just one, it is long past time that 67 years of injustice ended.

Zoë Lawlor

Co-ordinator Gaza Action Ireland

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SCRD Limerick