The Dallas City Council unanimously adopted a resolution to combat antisemitism on Wednesday.
The Confronting and Combating Antisemitism in Our Communities Resolution updates City policies regarding antisemitism. The resolution took effect immediately.
Council Member Jaynie Schultz noted that the Jewish people “are the canaries in the coal mine,” meaning that wherever antisemitism rears its head, discrimination against other minority groups is soon to follow.
Per the resolution, the City officially recognizes the “non-legally binding” definition of antisemitism provided by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA).
“Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews,” according to the IHRA. “Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”
The IHRA gives 11 contemporary examples of antisemitism.
Pastor Sammie Berry, the childhood minister of Mayor Johnson and co-chair of the Mayor’s Anti-Hate Advisory Council, spoke before city leaders in favor of the resolution.
He said the IHRA definition of antisemitism was “created as a tool to fight antisemitism” in a standardized and consistent manner.
Pastor Berry added that this definition has been accepted by governmental bodies across the world, including the State of Texas.
Council Member Omar Narvaez noted the importance of having a Christian pastor speak “on behalf of the Jewish community.”
The resolution directs City Manager T.C. Broadnax to ensure that this definition and its examples are “available as an educational resource” for the Dallas Police Department and all other City agencies “responsible for addressing antisemitism and other forms of discrimination.”
Broadnax was also directed to prepare a briefing for the City Council Workforce, Education, and Equity Committee on potential updates to City policies incorporating the IHRA definition and its examples.
These potential amendments could come into play when City departments review whether a violation of City policy “was motivated by discriminatory antisemitic intent.”
The IHRA definition will also be incorporated “as an educational tool” to help City officials identify and address potential antisemitism in the workplace.