On July 17, at the Argentina Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Buenos Aires, Lord Pickles represented the UK in endorsing new Global Guidelines for Countering
Antisemitism. The event saw participation from 36 countries, all uniting in their commitment to combat antisemitism.
The UK, along with several other nations, contributed examples of best practices to the guidelines, which were subsequently incorporated by the US. National representatives gathered to discuss and support this collective effort, highlighting the global commitment to addressing and preventing antisemitism.
Lord Pickles, the United Kingdom Special Envoy for Post-Holocaust Issues, said:
Congratulations to Argentina and the US. I am delighted that the global guidelines were one of the first documents the UK’s new government endorsed.
We need to learn from the IHRA non-legally binding definition that it is easy to adopt initiatives, but it is much harder to implement them. We must recognise the importance and protection of Jewish life. If we cannot protect our citizens, the state fails.
This is not just a responsibility for governments. Civil society has an important role to play, and these guidelines will be crucial in addressing the ongoing scourge of antisemitism.