The Finest Community Coalition Applauds the Adoption of the IHRA Definition of Antisemitism by San Diego City Council

Yesterday, the San Diego City Council took an important step in confronting the rise of antisemitism by decisively adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism. This definition has already been adopted by 47 countries, many local governments, the European Union, the Organization of American States, religious organizations, universities, sports leagues, and businesses. The IHRA definition is not a political or legal weapon; it is an educational resource. It provides an internationally accepted baseline that can shine a light on places where antisemitism might exist.

We thank City Councilmembers LaCava, Campbell, Whitburn, Foster, von Wilpert, Lee, Campillo, and Moreno for standing with the Jewish community and affirming San Diego’s commitment to combating hate and discrimination. We also thank Mayor Todd Gloria for his strong support.

We are deeply grateful to our Coalition member organizations for their leadership and advocacy in advancing this effort both behind the scenes and in public at yesterday’s city council meeting. The hateful and often blatantly antisemitic language hurled at our community members by those opposing the resolution only underscored the urgency and importance of its passage.

The Finest Community Coalition remains committed to demonstrating our community’s unity in combating antisemitism and amplifying the important work our members do every day to ensure that San Diego remains a place where Jewish residents feel safe, respected, and protected.