The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) welcomed the British government’s adoption of a definition of anti-Semitism, which provides clarity to the general public and to law enforcement on the boundaries of legitimate speech.

“Other countries should follow Britain’s lead,'' it said.

The definition is essentially identical to the definitions adopted by the U.S. State Department and the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), comprised of 31 member states. Britain becomes one of the first countries to adopt an international definition of anti-Semitism.

The definition states, “Anti-semitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. 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.”

Examples related to the State of Israel include:

Claiming the existence of Israel is racist, which denies the Jewish people their right to self-determination,

Comparing Israeli policies to those of the Nazi regime or using anti-Semitic motifs in criticizing Israel,

Holding Jews collectively responsible for actions of the State of Israel, and

Holding Israel to a different standard from other democracies in criticisms.

“This definition moves forward the British government’s commitment to the security and well-being of the Jewish community and implements one of the recommendations made by the recent Parliament Home Select Committee report on anti-Semitism in the UK,” said Marvin D. Nathan, ADL National Chair.

“Prime Minister Theresa May and other government ministers have condemned anti-Semitism forcefully and frequently, and we welcome this clarifying action.”

“Other countries should follow Britain’s lead and adopt the definition, just as many legislatures emulated the British Parliament’s first comprehensive official evaluation of anti-Semitism in the U.K.,” added Jonathan A. Greenblatt, ADL CEO.

"Up until now we have the absurd situation whereby Anti-semitism is defined by the perpetrators not by the victims, which makes it unique amongst all definitions of racism and xenophobia. Now, the perpetrators of Anti-semitism will be given clear red lines that they are not to cross and this is a very important development,’’ said European Jewish Congress President Moshe Kantor.

‘’We applaud and welcome this decision and call on other European states to follow suit," he added.