This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38281950

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Anti-Semitism: Official definition 'will fight hatred' Anti-Semitism: Official definition 'will fight hatred'
(about 3 hours later)
The government plans to adopt an international definition of anti-Semitism to help tackle hatred towards Jewish people.The government plans to adopt an international definition of anti-Semitism to help tackle hatred towards Jewish people.
Police, councils, universities and public bodies can adopt the wording, Theresa May has said. Police, councils, universities and public bodies can adopt the wording, which was created by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA).
The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), which the UK belongs to, created the definition. Announcing the move, Theresa May also accused the Labour Party of "turning a blind eye" towards anti-Semitism.
It calls anti-Semitism a "perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews". Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn's spokesman said anti-Semitism was "repugnant".
The definition adds: "Rhetorical and physical manifestations of anti-Semitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities." The IHRA - which is backed by 31 countries including the UK - defines anti-Semitism as a "certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews".
The prime minister told a lunch of the Conservative Friends of Israel (CFI) in London that a clear definition would "call out" anyone guilty of anti-Semitism in "essence, language or behaviour". It adds: "Rhetorical and physical manifestations of anti-Semitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities."
'Hard-left allies'
The prime minister told a lunch of the Conservative Friends of Israel in London that "these twisted views are being found in British politics".
Mrs May said a clearer definition would "call out" anyone guilty of anti-Semitism in "essence, language or behaviour".
She added: "Of course, I am talking mainly about the Labour Party and their hard-left allies."
Labour, which has faced accusations that it has failed to tackle anti-Semitism in its own membership, said it welcomed the introduction of a definition.
Mr Corbyn's spokesman said the party believed "language or behaviour that displays hatred towards Jews is anti-Semitism, and is as repugnant and unacceptable as any other form of racism".
The UK becomes the first country to adopt the IHRA's definition, which created the wording in May.The UK becomes the first country to adopt the IHRA's definition, which created the wording in May.
'Contested' definitions Downing Street said anti-Semitic behaviour could be overlooked because the term was ill-defined, with different organisations adopting their own interpretations.
Downing Street said anti-Semitic behaviour could be overlooked because the term is ill-defined, with different organisations adopting their own interpretations. Police in the UK already use this definition. However, it can now also be used by other bodies, such as councils and universities, although it will not be legally binding.
Police in the UK already use this definition, which was adopted by the EU's Agency for Fundamental Rights.
It could now be used by other bodies, such as councils and universities, although it will not be legally binding.
Universities UK, the umbrella body for the sector, confirmed it was looking at the plans, saying that existing definitions were "variable and sometimes contested".Universities UK, the umbrella body for the sector, confirmed it was looking at the plans, saying that existing definitions were "variable and sometimes contested".
The IHRA - which is backed by 31 countries, including the UK, US, Israel, France and Germany - hopes the definition will be adopted globally as a "political tool" to deal with anti-Jewish hate crime. On Tuesday, the government will publish its response to the Home Affairs Select Committee's report into anti-Semitism, which in October called on political leaders to do more to tackle hate.
Mrs May said: "It is unacceptable that there is anti-Semitism in this country. It is even worse that incidents are reportedly on the rise.
"As a government we are making a real difference and adopting this measure is a ground-breaking step."
'Scourge' in society'Scourge' in society
Sir Eric Pickles, the UK's envoy for post-Holocaust issues, told the BBC that the new definition addressed "modern" forms of anti-Semitism.Sir Eric Pickles, the UK's envoy for post-Holocaust issues, told the BBC that the new definition addressed "modern" forms of anti-Semitism.
He said that holding Jewish people "accountable for what's happening in Israel" was one example.He said that holding Jewish people "accountable for what's happening in Israel" was one example.
"We've moved into a new phase of anti-Semitism, and it's important that definitions keep up," he said."We've moved into a new phase of anti-Semitism, and it's important that definitions keep up," he said.
Ephraim Mirvis, the chief rabbi of the UK and Commonwealth, welcomed the move for tackling what he called a "scourge in our society".Ephraim Mirvis, the chief rabbi of the UK and Commonwealth, welcomed the move for tackling what he called a "scourge in our society".
"My hope is that the adoption of this definition will provide a clarity which will herald a far more effective discourse on the ways that we can highlight and challenge anti-Semitism wherever it is found," he added."My hope is that the adoption of this definition will provide a clarity which will herald a far more effective discourse on the ways that we can highlight and challenge anti-Semitism wherever it is found," he added.
The Community Security Trust said the number of anti-Semitic incidents in the UK increased by 11% between January and June - from 500 in the same period last year, to 557 this year.The Community Security Trust said the number of anti-Semitic incidents in the UK increased by 11% between January and June - from 500 in the same period last year, to 557 this year.
Last week, a man who subjected Labour MP Luciana Berger to an online campaign of anti-Semitic abuse was jailed for two years.Last week, a man who subjected Labour MP Luciana Berger to an online campaign of anti-Semitic abuse was jailed for two years.
'No excuses'
On Tuesday, the government will publish its response to the Home Affairs Select Committee's report into anti-Semitism, which in October called on political leaders to do more to tackle hate.
Communities Secretary Sajid Javid said anti-Semitism must be understood for what it was - "an attack on the identity of people who live, contribute and are valued in our society".Communities Secretary Sajid Javid said anti-Semitism must be understood for what it was - "an attack on the identity of people who live, contribute and are valued in our society".
"There can be no excuses for anti-Semitism or any other form of racism or prejudice," he said."There can be no excuses for anti-Semitism or any other form of racism or prejudice," he said.
Labour, which has faced accusations that it has failed to tackle anti-Semitism in its own membership, also welcomed the move.
A spokesman for Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said hatred towards Jews was "as repugnant and unacceptable as any other form of racism".
Earlier this year Baroness Chakrabarti, the former director of civil liberties group Liberty, chaired an inquiry into anti-Semitism in the party.
It found the party was not overrun by anti-Semitism or other forms of racism, but there was an "occasionally toxic atmosphere".