ACF-Cornell, a group of Cornell parents and alumni, and Cornell’s Jewish organizations are petitioning the Cornell Board of Trustees to formally adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism. 

The fight against antisemitism is nuanced. Antisemitic voices are adept at misrepresenting IHRA. Here are some key points that have unified Cornell’s Jewish community to call for IHRA’s adoption:

- There has been an escalating problem of antisemitism in the U.S. and on Cornell's campus.

- U.S. Department of Education has made clear that universities that receive federal funding have an obligation under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to protect Jewish and Israeli students against antisemitic harassment and discrimination when based on shared ancestry and/or ethnic characteristics.

- The IHRA working definition of antisemitism is an essential tool used to determine forms of antisemitism, including contemporary manifestations.

- In May 2016, the IHRA adopted the working definition of antisemitism, including 11 contemporary examples. This definition has become the internationally recognized definition used by governments, schools, and international organizations.

- The IHRA working definition of antisemitism is used by U.S. government agencies. It was adopted or endorsed by over 1,216 entities globally, including 45 countries, 34 U.S. states, 514 state, municipality, and regional governments, 345 educational institutions, and 312 other organizations.-  It is referenced in the December 11, 2019, Presidential Executive Order 13899, "Combating Antisemitism"

- The ADL has urged universities to use the IHRA working definition of antisemitism to inform new student orientation, harassment and discrimination training, and antisemitism awareness education programming.

The following Jewish student organizations stated their support for the Cornell Board of Trustees’ adoption of the IHRA: Hillel, Center for Jewish Living, Chabad, Cornellians for Israel, Sigma Delta Tau Sorority, and Zeta Beta Tau and Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity. 

Collectively, we urge Cornell to adopt and use the IHRA definition as an important tool to address antisemitism:

- Use as an education resource for the Cornell community, including Student & Campus Life, CUPD, and other departments responsible for addressing antisemitism and other forms of discrimination

- Use to guide and inform new student orientation, harassment and discrimination training, and antisemitism awareness education programming, and shall be used with reasonableness and context.

To be clear, IHRA is explicit that it not be used to inhibit free speech. Cornell’s Jewish community does not support any application where the IHRA might be used to inhibit free speech. However, the IHRA working definition should be used to identify antisemitic speech and conduct.