Defining term 'anti-Semitism' is key for fighting it

In order to fight 'anti-Semitism' effectively, a clear definition of the term must be determined, said the Israeli Ambassador to Slovakia, Zvi Aviner Vapni, after meeting the Slovak Justice Minister Gabor Gál on Thursday. According to Vapni, "if we know exactly what we're fighting, the struggle is easier". "Not only in Slovakia, but also in other European countries, we're being confronted more and more with an increase in hate speech stemming from anti-Semitism" said Gál, adding that there is a need to look for an effective tool to deal with anonymous, ill-conceived and reckless expressions, which are spreading rapidly." Vapni came to see Gal with a draft declaration, an initiative by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA). It contains a unified international definition of anti-Semitism and has been adopted by several governments since 2016, including those of Austria, Romania, Bulgaria and Israel. The material is of a declarative nature, and Gal said that he would do his utmost to see it approved by the Slovak Government.