Moldovan Parliament Building. Photo: Serhiodudnic/Wikimedia Commons.

JNS.org – Moldova endorsed the widely accepted definition of antisemitism from the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance on Friday, in addition to committing the country’s authorities to fight hatred against Jews and others.

According to the IHRA, “Antisemitism is 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.”

“Moldova has taken a laudable step in recognizing clearly the resurgent cancer of antisemitism and mobilizing to effectively combat it,” said American Jewish Committee CEO David Harris, who has visited the country several times. “We commend the Jewish Community of Moldova, an AJC international partner, for working with their government to achieve this important policy decision.”

Fewer than 4,000 Jews reside in Moldova (as of 2012), which was party to pogroms and other persecution against Jews during the 19th and 20th centuries.

Last month, the European Union adopted the IHRA definition.