Recently, four North American jurisdictions have adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of anti-Semitism, joining a growing number of governments and non-governmental organizations that are embracing this approach. . On Tuesday, November 1, both the Montgomery County Council in Maryland and the Los Angeles City Council in California adopted the IHRA Working Definition of anti-Semitism. In Montgomery County, the process had been delayed for several months, with many in the community expressing concerns over whether the definition inhibits freedom of speech. Despite this, the resolution passed, with the county condemning and denouncing anti-Semitism “in all its manifestations.” . And in October, the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Manitoba announced they had adopted the IHRA Definition. . In Los Angeles County, the resolution was introduced by City Councilmember Paul Koretz, who cited recent increases in hate crimes statewide as the reason for why the resolution was necessary. It called for “city departments, staff, elected and appointed officials, and contract agencies to familiarize themselves with the IHRA definition of antisemitism, associated IHRA reference materials, examples, and articles, and incorporate their use where appropriate.” . The IHRA definition has become the leading definition of anti-Semitism worldwide – and the only one that commands widespread governmental and community support on multiple continents. It includes specific examples and guidance for fighting anti-Semitism. The definition makes clear what anti-Semitism looks like, and as a result makes it harder for such acts to go unnoticed and unpunished. As a result, these counties now have a stronger basis to fight anti-Semitism and protect their Jewish communities. . They join over 40 countries in endorsing/adopting the definition. . To learn more about how to properly identify modern ant-Semitism, read our fact sheet on the topic.