OUR ACTIVITIES
Activities
#Students4IHRA
Join students from around the world to fight antisemitism, both on and off-campus.
This is a first-of-its-kind campaign to amplify the voices of students who are fighting bigotry on campus, using the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism. The IHRA working definition is the most respected and widely used definition of antisemitism in the world, with dozens of countries. Over 30 countries and hundreds of civil society and educational institutions have endorsed it, including 137 universities worldwide. Now, students are coming together to say loudly and clearly :
“The IHRA working definition of antisemitism speaks for us!”
#SayNoToDurbanIV Festival of Hate
The Durban 2001 Conference was meant to bring the international community together to present a global front in the fight against racism. Instead, the conference descended into an unhinged display of Jew hatred, giving birth to the modern BDS Movement and the pervasive discourse and vilification of Israel we see around the world today.
This September 22nd, world leaders will come together at the United Nations, to celebrate this antisemitic festival of hate! But the ILF and all those who truly care about fighting racism and promoting tolerance, will not stand idly by!
Our Response to UN Special Rapporteur Michael Lynk
As this session of the UN Human Rights Council comes to an end, its bias, obsession, and hatred towards Israel continues.
The UN Special Rapporteur Michal Lynk is a central part of this relentless assault against Israel. Watch our new video, which exposes this hypocrisy and double standards!
Summary of Supreme Court Ruling on Nation-State Law
On Thursday, July 8th, 2021, the Israeli Supreme Court, sitting as the High Court of Justice (HCJ), delivered its ruling on the constitutionality of the “Israel - the Nation-State of the Jewish People” Basic Law, colloquially known as the Nation-State Law. The judgement, delivered in response to 15 separate petitions against the law, was decided 10-1 in favour of the law’s constitutionality.
Read the ILF's summary and analysis below.
The Durban Conferences: Enabling Delegitimisation of Israel and Antisemitism
The first Durban Conference, the 2001 UN World Conference Against Racism, quickly descended into a shameful demonstration of antisemitic, anti-Israel rhetoric resulting in the adoption of the 'Durban Declaration', a declaration which singled out one country only for racism: Israel. It was where BDS was conceived and where the international campaign against Israel gained momentum, a momentum which continues to gather today.
Join our chair and CEO Arsen Ostrovsky and Natasha Hausdorff of UK Lawyers for Israel Charitable Trust , to hear how the Durban series of conferences continue to promote the delegitimisation of Israel and fan the flames of antisemitic anti-Zionism.
Sheikh Jarrah: A Legal Background
This issue is one that is creating (via a domino effect) massive storms in the local Israeli as well as international media and has even led to supposedly 'peaceful protest' throughout Israel as a response. The ILF has prepared a short legal background to help you understand the situation as well as some easy to use images for social media.
A 101 on IHRAs Working Definition of Antisemitism
The ILF and CIJA are proud to present this short 101. Featuring the esteemed Irwin Cotler. This video will give you an overview on the IHRA working definition of antisemitism, how to counter the criticism that is brought against it and why it is more crucial now than ever.
Antisemitism & De-Legitimization Report
We would like to present you with our newest report which offers insight into the most significant global trends of 2020 from the frontlines against terror, antisemitism, and de-legitimization. Moreover, we present our projections on where the next battlefield will be in 2021 and where we should focus our efforts.
The 'Blacklist' Fails Once Again, this Time in Norway
In January 2016 the State Department under Obama published a "re-issuance" of labeling guidelines of products from the West Bank, arguing that the US policy has always been that all products from the West Bank must be labeled ''West Bank'' and not ''made in Israel'', including products manufactured in areas under Israeli control. There were attempts in Norway to do the same, attempts that failed.
Major Success, Our Labelling Battle Complete after 5 years
In January 2016 the State Department under Obama published a "re-issuance" of labeling guidelines of products from the West Bank, arguing that the US policy has always been that all products from the West Bank must be labeled ''West Bank'' and not ''made in Israel'', including products manufactured in areas under Israeli control.
ILF files groundbreaking case in Toronto utilizing the IHRA definition
Foodbenders, a Toronto based restaurant, is facing legal action after using the hashtag “#zionistsnotwelcome” and making statements such as “police brutality is an Israeli export” and “Zionists are Nazis,” in social media posts. The restaurant owner has discriminated against Jews when she publicly stated her refusal to serve Zionists in her store.
Opposing the International Criminal Court’s Hostile Moves Against Israel
On December 20, 2019, the Prosecutor's Office (OTP) of the ICC announced that it would be launching an official investigation into war crimes against Israel. The OTP then deferred the question of jurisdiction of the ICC over “Palestine” to the Court.
Ground-Breaking Legal Battle Links BDS, Terrorism and US Based Human Rights Group
For almost two years the ILF, along with our partners, researched the links between the BDS and designated terror groups, with the aim to stop the funding and de-legitimize this vehemently Antisemitic and exploitative movement.
Fighting Antisemitism From Words to Actions
The adoption of the IHRA working definition of antisemitism is an important first step towards combating antisemitism, as in order to fight it, it must first be defined. The working definition does precisely that, providing a legal definition of antisemitism for the first time in history including classical forms of antisemitism, Holocaust denial or inversion and modern antisemitism, including denying the Jewish right to self-determination. The ILF is launching this project and intends to incorporate its vast network of lawyers around the world to extends the project's global reach. Together, we can help turn back the tide of antisemitism.
2nd Legal Network Initiative Conference
Together with Ministry of Strategic Affairs, the International Legal Forum brought together representatives from over 30 countries. The conference enabled us to provide our network of lawyers with different practical tools and knowledge, as well as designated projects to pursue in their countries of origin.
Issam Aqel Released After Arrest by PA for Selling Land to Jews
The ILF is happy to report that Issam Aqel, the East Jerusalem resident who has been held captive by the Palestinian Authority for allegedly selling land to Jews, has finally been released.
ILF Complaint Against Palestinian Football President
Following the political struggle waged by the President of the Palestinian Football Association (PLE), Jibril Rajoub, in an attempt to boycott Israeli teams, the ILF has filed a complaint to FIFA's ethics committee calling for the removal of Rajoub from his position, on the basis of racism, incitement to violence and the endangerment of Israeli team members.
Battling Unlawful Irish Bill Frances Black Bill
The Irish Parliament is progressing with the legislation of the Frances Black Bill - a bill that will criminalize the import, sale, and purchase of goods and services from territories beyond the Green Line. If passed into law, these trivial acts and fundamental freedoms, might be sanctioned with up to 5 years imprisonment.
Airbnb Revokes Decision to Boycott Settlement Properties
In November 2018, Airbnb announced a change in policy and delisted all properties listed in Jewish settlements in Judea and Samaria. In response, the International Legal Forum, together with the Zionist Advocacy Center, collected the signatures of over 1,000 Airbnb subscribers who wished to complain about this change in Airbnb's terms of use.
Granting Equal Legal Rights to All Victims of Terror
Together with MK Amir Ohana, the ILF has submitted an amendment to the Victims of Violent Crimes Act, thus aiming to equalize the rights of terror victims with the rights of all other victims of violent crimes in Israel. With the passing of this legislation, this shameful and discriminatory legal reality will finally come to an end.
Deceptive Interpretation of US Labeling Guidelines Exposed
In January 2016, the United States State Department issued a reminder that products made in West Bank areas under Israeli control should not be labeled "Made in Israel" in accordance with the 1995 guidelines. The announcement drew fierce criticism from Israel as this seemed shockingly inconsistent with US policy, especially that of 1995.