An Anglican cathedral. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

A leading UK Jewish group on Monday praised the Anglican Church in Wales for adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism.

The Bishops of the Church in Wales said in a statement following the adoption of the definition, “We regard antisemitism as abhorrent and recognize that the Christian Church has need of repentance for the ways in which it has contributed in the past to anti-Jewish sentiment.”

Pointing out the definition’s inclusion of antisemitism directed against Israel, the bishops said, “We note that the IHRA definition itself does not preclude criticism of the State of Israel, and that legitimately holding the Israeli government to account is not antisemitic.”

“In making the decision we recognise the excellent relationships between faith communities in Wales,” the statement concluded.

Board of Deputies of British Jews President Marie van der Zyl praised the Church, saying, “We are pleased to see that the international antisemitism definition is gathering pace in the faith communities.”

“Following the Church of England’s adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism last September, we have been pleased to see the Church of Scotland and now the Church in Wales follow suit,” she continued.

“We would commend the definition and all its examples to all who want to identify, confront and eradicate this poisonous and enduring form of hatred from our society and we thank the Church in Wales for their solidarity,” van der Zyl added.