Draft International Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Antisemitism
In a recent interview on i24News, former Israeli Ambassador Alan Baker, an international law expert and director of the Institute for Contemporary Affairs at the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs (JCFA), discussed his latest efforts to advance an international convention addressing antisemitism as a criminal act. Baker, the principal author of the draft, expressed the urgency of global action in the wake of recent antisemitic incidents, notably the attack in Amsterdam that reignited concerns worldwide.
The proposed convention, formally known as the International Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Antisemitism, seeks to criminalize acts of antisemitism and incitement that lead to violence. Baker highlighted that despite centuries of antisemitic violence and prejudice—including the Spanish Inquisition, pogroms, and the Holocaust—no international treaty has yet defined or criminalized antisemitism.
“Antisemitism has existed for thousands of years,” Baker stated. “While piracy, war crimes, and crimes against humanity have been universally criminalized, antisemitic acts inciting violence have not. This draft convention would close that gap, categorizing antisemitic violence as an international crime and mandating extradition and prosecution of perpetrators.”
The convention follows the model of other United Nations treaties that address specific international crimes, and Baker is urging governments worldwide to support and adopt it. “I’ve defined antisemitism within the draft and called upon governments to recognize such acts as international crimes,” he explained.
The Challenges to Global Adoption
Despite the convention’s intent to protect communities from targeted hate crimes, Baker expressed skepticism about widespread support at the United Nations, citing persistent political biases. “I’m not optimistic. The hypocrisy we’ve seen around antisemitism is likely to continue,” he remarked, suggesting that many UN member states might reject the proposal, highlighting the ongoing challenge of addressing antisemitism on a global platform.
The JCFA remains committed to promoting the convention, hoping that governments worldwide will prioritize addressing antisemitic violence as a serious global threat.
