ST PETERSBURG, Fla. — The St. Pete City Council will consider a new resolution Thursday aimed at measuring, monitoring, and ultimately combatting antisemitism.

The rule would create a formal definition of antisemitism that if passed would be adopted by the city.

What You Need To Know

  • The rule would not be legally binding, but a tool for local officials and law enforcement  

  • The definition of antisemitism used in the resolution was created by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance.

  • St. Pete City Council members plan to discuss on Thursday 

  • If passed, the resolution would take effect immediately. 

In the draft resolution, the definition of antisemitism is outlined as ‘A certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.’ This definition is outlined by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance.

While not legally binding, the idea is the resolution would be a tool for law enforcement and public officials to help identify, measure, and monitor antisemitism. Mike Igel, who serves at the president of the Florida Holocaust Museaum, says this is an important step in the right direction.

“Antisemitism is on the rise,” Igel said. “You can see it through statistics but you can also see it as a jewish person just in life anecdotally. So in order to fix a problem or define a problem you have to be able to know what it is.”

The Anti-Defamation League reports that crimes against the Jewish community accounted for 80% of the religiously motivated incidents in Florida in 2020. In 2021, incidents of harassment, vandalism, and antisemitic assault increased 50% from 127 to 190.

Igel says he’s seen that hold true in St. Pete. In 2021, graffiti was found on the wall of the museum and months later, antisemitic flyers were dropped around the Central Oak Park neighborhood.

“It can almost feel routine which is dangerous in itself that these antisemitic fliers are thrown around neighborhoods and people are carrying swastika flags,” Igel said. “We can’t let this become normal and ho hum and people say ‘oh that happened again.”

Igel says he plans to attend the City Council meeting Thursday and that to know his local government is listening really does mean something to him.

“It’s the city and leadership taking a stand and saying this is not what St. Pete is. St. Pete is a welcoming place and we do not stand for antisemitism here. This is a step in that direction,” he said.