Women’s March Adopts NOI Definition Of Antisemitism

The Women’s March aims to draw clear lines regarding acceptable rhetoric in the organization’s ranks.

New York, December 5 – Growing dissatisfaction among supporters and members of a prominent feminist organization with some of its leaders’ ties to an anti-Jewish preacher has led the movement to adopt a definition of antisemitism formulated by the Nation of Islam, in an effort to forestall further criticism and heal the rifts within.

The Women’s March leadership voted yesterday to use the NOI definition of antisemitism in response to mounting criticism from within and outside the organization over Linda Sarsour’s  and Tamika Mallory’s links to Minister Louis Farrakhan, a firebrand American Muslim with a history of derogatory statements about Jews. In adopting the NOI definition of antisemitism, the Women’s March aims to draw clear lines regarding acceptable rhetoric in the organization’s ranks, and to restore the faith of Jewish members and allies alienated by the Farrakhan ties.

Ms. Sarsour announced the movement’s decision on Twitter. “I am pleased to inform my beloved sisters that we have adopted the NOI definition of antisemitism,” she posted Tuesday. In subsequent tweets, Ms. Sarsour linked to a Women’s March press release and analogous tweet from the organization, and praised what she called the group’s “commitment to a future of dialogue and understanding.”

The Nation of Islam definition of antisemitism clarifies what behavior or rhetoric can be classified as beyond the pale of acceptable discourse. It differs in some details from the more widely-known IHRA definition, explain experts, and might provide a superior standard, given the greater detail it provides in citing specific examples of acceptable vs. unacceptable discourse.

“Whereas the IHRA definition makes no specific mention of referring to Jews as termites,” noted Ms. Mallory, “the NOI standard certainly does. It also makes sure we know that it’s fine to criticize Jewish control of the media, as well as Jewish designs on world domination, as long as the critic assures everyone he or she doesn’t harbor a personal animus toward the Jews he knows individually. ”

“In terms of criticism of Israel,” she continued, “the IHRA definition falls short in failing to acknowledge the genocide of Palestinians by Jews, such that there are ten times as many Palestinians there now than there were in 1948. The Nation of Islam definition, on the other hand, demands a sensitivity to our Palestinian sisters’ plight, and rightfully calls for the shunning of all Jews who do not renounce the historical injustice inherent in Jewish sovereignty where any non-Jew objects, especially when that objection is expressed with deadly violence.”

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