(Austin, TX – June 16, 2021) — StandWithUs congratulates the Texas legislature and Governor Abbott on the passage of state legislation endorsing the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism. House Bill 3257, which creates the Texas Holocaust, Genocide, and Antisemitism Advisory Commission, refers to the IHRA definition, which is the international consensus definition of what antisemitism is and how it often manifests in contemporary society. It passed on June 16, 2021.
The Commission will study antisemitism in the state of Texas and coordinate with educational institutions about practices for combating antisemitism and educating about the Holocaust and other genocides.
Carly Gammill, director of the StandWithUs Center for Combating Antisemitism stated, “Using the IHRA definition in conducting this type of study will help ensure that instances of antisemitism are properly identified and recorded, which then allows them to be addressed in the most appropriate and effective ways, including through crucial educational efforts. It is encouraging at this particular time, when antisemitism is continuing to increase rapidly in the culture and knowledge about the Holocaust seems to be at an alarming low point, that the state of Texas is focused on improving awareness and education concerning not only antisemitism generally but the Holocaust in particular, as well as other genocides.”
Govenor Abbott said in a statement , “Antisemitism has no place in Texas, and we have a duty to combat it whenever and however it arises. That is why I am proud to sign House Bill 3257 into law, which will create the Texas Holocaust, Genocide, and Antisemitism Advisory Committee and bolster our efforts to eradicate antisemitism in the Lone Star State. Thank you to the Texas Legislature for your bipartisan effort on this important bill.”
To-date 36 countries, the EU, the UN and 450 organizations, government agencies, universities and municipalities have adopted the definition of antisemitism of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. Texas is among the states leading the nation to raise awareness about the scourge of antisemitism and defeat it by taking the crucial first step of defining it.
About StandWithUs
StandWithUs (SWU) is an international, non-profit and non-partisan Israel education organization that works to inspire and educate people of all ages about Israel, as well as challenge misinformation and fight against antisemitism.
Through university fellowships, high school internships, middle school curricula, conferences, materials, social media, educational films and missions to Israel, StandWithUs supports people around the world who want to educate their schools and communities about Israel.
Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Los Angeles, the organization has chapters and programs on 5 continents, including the U.S., Israel, UK, Canada, South Africa and Brazil.
For the last 8 years, SWU has consistently received the highest possible ratings from Charity Navigator (4 stars) and Guidestar (Platinum).
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