The Media Line: Dominican Republic Adopts IHRA Antisemitism Definition at Latin America Summit

Dominican Republic Adopts IHRA Antisemitism Definition at Latin America Summit

By The Media Line Staff

The Dominican Republic will adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism, President Luis Abinader announced at a major regional conference in Santo Domingo focused on combating antisemitism through government
and legislative action.

This announcement came during the sixth-annual Latin American Forum Against Antisemitism, organized by the Combat Antisemitism Movement. The gathering brought together more than 70 leaders from 19 countries, including nearly 50 legislators, as well as diplomats,
religious leaders, civil society representatives and Jewish organizational officials.

The Dominican Republic will become the seventh Latin American country to adopt the IHRA definition, following Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Panama and Uruguay.

Abinader also announced plans to establish the Dominican Republic’s first museum dedicated to Jewish history and heritage.

Speaking at the summit’s gala dinner, Abinader said antisemitism extends beyond the Jewish community because it threatens democratic rights and freedoms. Political disputes or conflicts, he said, cannot excuse hatred or violence.

“Antisemitism is not a problem that concerns only the Jewish people,” Abinader said. “It is a threat to democratic coexistence and to the rights and freedoms of us all.”

He said adopting the IHRA definition would give the country a framework for recognizing and combating antisemitism while protecting constitutional rights, including freedom of expression.

“Through this decision, the Dominican Republic reaffirms its commitment to the memory of the Holocaust, to the protection of Jewish communities, and to the eradication of antisemitism in all its forms,” Abinader said.

US Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism Rabbi Ambassador Yehuda Kaploun, the guest of honor and keynote speaker Monday, called the Dominican Republic’s decision a “historic moment” and urged other Latin American governments to follow its example.

“There cannot be any compromise with antisemitism,” Kaploun said.

Kaploun pointed to US measures against antisemitism, including holding universities accountable, prosecuting hate crimes, changing visa vetting programs and withdrawing from major UN bodies that he said had promoted terrorism and antisemitism.

He said the United States was prepared to support Latin American countries seeking greater religious liberty and freedom, adding, “We will lead by example and we will take positive steps to protect every Jewish community.”

In remarks earlier in the day, Kaploun also urged Latin American countries to withdraw from the International Criminal Court.