Peru adopts IHRA antisemitism definition, Israel's Sa'ar welcomes it; Lima yet to confirm
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar welcomed Peru's decision to adopt the IHRA working definition of antisemitism. JNS reports Peru's government has not officially confirmed it, though a letter from its foreign minister circulated online.
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The story, neutrally told
Mixed · 2Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar welcomed Peru's adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism, calling the decision "historic". JNSR “Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar on Monday welcomed Peru’s adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working definition of antisemitism, calling the decision “historic.”” Read at JNS ↗ The Media LineN ““I celebrate the historic decision of the Government of Peru,” Sa’ar wrote on X.” Read at The Media Line ↗ Right · 1Sa'ar posted on X, in Spanish, that together "we continue strengthening the fight against antisemitism worldwide". JNS's first report says he spoke on Monday, while a later JNS report says he announced it on Sunday. JNSR “Juntos seguimos fortaleciendo la lucha contra el antisemitismo a nivel mundial.” Read at JNS ↗ JNSR “Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar announced on Sunday.” Read at JNS ↗ Right · 1JNS reported that the Peruvian government has not yet officially confirmed the decision, but that an Oct. 20 letter from Peruvian Foreign Minister Carlos Espá to Sa'ar, circulated online, states Peru's decision to accept the definition. JNSR “The Peruvian government has not yet officially confirmed the news, but an Oct. 20 letter circulated online from its foreign minister to Sa’ar states the country’s decision to accept the alliance’s definition.” Read at JNS ↗
Right · 1In the letter, Espá wrote that he was convinced the decision would strengthen ties between Peru and Israel, "based on shared values", and would reaffirm Peru's commitment to preserving Holocaust memory and promoting education. JNSR ““I am convinced that this decision will contribute to strengthening the bonds of friendship and cooperation that unite Peru and the State of Israel, which are based on shared values,”” Read at JNS ↗ Mixed · 2The IHRA's non-binding working definition was adopted in 2016 by the intergovernmental body, which has more than 40 member countries. More than 1,200 entities, including the U.S. State Department, have recognised it. JNSR “More than 1,200 entities worldwide, including the U.S. State Department, have recognized the definition.” Read at JNS ↗ The Media LineN “IHRA adopted the nonbinding working definition in 2016.” Read at The Media Line ↗ Mixed · 2The Media Line noted that the framework includes illustrative examples, including in relation to Israel, and says criticism of Israel comparable to that of any other country is not antisemitic. JNS described the definition as helping to recognise when criticism of Israel crosses into antisemitism. The Media LineN “It also states that criticism of Israel comparable to criticism directed at any other country is not antisemitic.” Read at The Media Line ↗ JNSR “including when criticism of Israel crosses into antisemitism.” Read at JNS ↗
Mixed · 2Both outlets place the move in a regional pattern: Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Panama and Uruguay have already adopted the definition, and both link Peru's step to closer ties with Israel under President Keiko Fujimori. JNS says Peru is the ninth Latin American country to adopt it, after also Dominican Republic and Paraguay, and says the US and Argentina have pushed for wider adoption. The Media LineN “The move comes under President Keiko Fujimori and reflects Peru’s closer diplomatic relationship with Israel.” Read at The Media Line ↗ JNSR “Peru becomes the ninth Latin American country to adopt the most widely-used definition of Jew-hatred” Read at JNS ↗ Right · 1Jewish organisations welcomed the step. B'nai B'rith International CEO Evan Bernstein said such adoptions give Jewish communities a stronger practical framework, and the Combat Antisemitism Movement's Shay Salamon said adoption should be accompanied by meaningful implementation. JNSR “Peru formally adopting the IHRA definition should be “accompanied by meaningful implementation,””“give Jewish communities on the ground a stronger, practical framework to confront antisemitism where they live.” Read at JNS ↗ Right · 1Salamon cited April remarks by then-interim president José María Balcázar, who said Germany was pushed into war partly because of Jews controlling banks and commerce. They drew widespread backlash. A government friendlier to Israel took office in July, and this month Peru's Ethics Tribunal required media outlets to moderate antisemitic comments. About 1,900 Jews live in Peru, per the World Jewish Congress. JNSR “A government friendlier to Israel took office in July.”“the country has about 1,900 Jews, mainly in and near the capital, Lima.” Read at JNS ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre1 outlet
- Framing
- The Media Line relays Sa'ar's announcement as a straightforward report, with background on the definition, including its caveat on criticism of Israel.
- Emphasis
- Sa'ar's statement, the definition's text and its limits.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not say Peru's government has not confirmed the decision, or mention the Peruvian letter.
- Charged language
- “Historic”
- For example
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“Peru has adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism as part of its efforts to combat antisemitism” — The Media Line
“criticism of Israel comparable to criticism directed at any other country is not antisemitic.” — The Media Line
Right1 outlet
- Framing
- JNS treats the adoption as a diplomatic win and a sign of a regional realignment toward Israel, adding Jewish-organisation reactions and Peruvian context, including that Lima has not confirmed.
- Emphasis
- Regional trend, Jewish-group quotes, Balcázar's remarks, Peru's lack of official confirmation.
- Leaves out or plays down
- The earlier JNS pieces do not mention that Peru had not confirmed; none gives Peruvian officials' public comment beyond the letter.
- Charged language
- “Jew-hatred”“diplomatic realignment”
What every side reports
- Gideon Sa'ar welcomed the decision as 'historic' in a post on X.
- The IHRA working definition is non-binding, dates from 2016, and has been recognised by more than 1,200 entities including the U.S. State Department.
- Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Panama and Uruguay have already adopted it.
- The move is linked to closer Peru-Israel ties under President Keiko Fujimori.
Where accounts differ
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Whether Peru has officially confirmed the adoption
- Centre
- The Media Line reports the adoption as done, based on Sa'ar's announcement.
- Right
- A later JNS report says the government has not officially confirmed it; the evidence is a circulated letter from the foreign minister.
Gideon Sa'ar person
Welcomes Peru's "historic" decision and frames it as strengthening the global fight against antisemitism.
““I celebrate the historic decision of the Government of Peru,” Sa’ar wrote on X.” — The Media Line
Combat Antisemitism Movement organisation
Says adoption matters for Peru's Jewish community given recent incidents, and calls for meaningful implementation beyond declarations.
““These incidents highlight the importance of moving beyond political declarations toward concrete institutional measures to recognize, prevent and combat antisemitism,”” — JNS
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre1 article
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Sa’ar Hails Peru’s ‘Historic’ Adoption of IHRA Antisemitism Definition
Neutral Straightforward relay of Sa'ar's announcement with background on the definition and its caveat on Israel criticism.
Right3 articles
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JNSR ·
Israeli FM Sa'ar welcomes Peru's adoption of IHRA antisemitism definition
Celebratory Short report on Sa'ar's welcome, noting the definition covers when criticism of Israel crosses into antisemitism.
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JNSR ·
Peru adopts IHRA definition of antisemitism
Celebratory Presents adoption as part of a center-right Latin American realignment toward Israel.
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JNSR ·
Peru says it intends to adopt IHRA definition of Jew-hatred
Sympathetic Detailed report with Jewish-group quotes and Peruvian context, noting the lack of official confirmation.
- 26 Oct 10:11 First JNSR Israeli FM Sa'ar welcomes Peru's adoption of IHRA antisemitism definition
- 26 Oct 12:18 +2h 6m JNSR Peru adopts IHRA definition of antisemitism
- 26 Oct 15:17 +5h 6m JNSR Peru says it intends to adopt IHRA definition of Jew-hatred
- 26 Oct 15:48 +5h 36m The Media LineN Sa’ar Hails Peru’s ‘Historic’ Adoption of IHRA Antisemitism Definition
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.
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