CARMARTHENSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL voted unanimously to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism on Wednesday (Oct 10).
Introducing the motion, Llandeilo councillor Edward Thomas said that antisemitism was a blight on history which continued to this day. Referring to his own studies at Swansea University, he told members that while they might all be familiar of the tales of Crusades what they might not know was that on their way to the Holy Land the Crusaders slaughtered Jewish populations on the way, while the Saracen Turks treated the Jews far better.
He noted that the Welsh Government had adopted the IHRA’s definition of antisemitism and was committed to tackling the pernicious and persistent racism antisemitism represents.
The motion was formally seconded by Cllr Sue Allen.
Supporting the motion, Cllr Alun Lenny observed that antisemitism had a role to play in the colonisation of Wales by the English. He reminded members that the money to build the Norman invaders’ castles in Wales had been borrowed from Jewish bankers and that, in order to get out of repaying it, the Jewish bankers had been slaughtered during one of England’s frequent outbursts of xenophobia and antisemitism.
Cllr Bill Thomas also supported the motion. He noted that when the Welsh Government adopted the IHRA definition, First Minister Carwyn Jones said that the Welsh Government was determined to ensure that Wales continued to be a friendly and tolerant place to live, study and work.
He said that adopting this measure was a sign that Carmarthenshire promoted those values within its own borders.
He alluded to the increase in casual racism since the Brexit referendum, the outcome of which appears to be used to justify xenophobic and racist abuse.
Cllr Alan Speake said that he was pleased that the County Council was bringing the Holocaust and the history behind it to the attention of those in education and reiterated that the best way to combat the racism of which antisemitism is a part was through education.
Cllr Andre McPherson spoke from his personal experience. He recounted that as a child in Exeter, his grandparents had to explain to him why there was swastika painted on to the synagogue they attended. That same synagogue had only recently been the subject of a further attack of racist vandalism when its doors were set ablaze. He said that abuse continues to this day and that antisemitism was not only a matter of history.
Labour leader Cllr Rob James welcomed the motion. He said it was essential that the effects of war, violence, and racism needed to be at the forefront of people’s minds, particularly as bigotry and antisemitism appeared to be growing in strength.
The motion was unanimously passed.
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