Title
An Ordinance Of The City Of Hollywood, Florida, Amending Chapter 133 Of The Code Of Ordinances Pertaining To Antisemitism And Bias-Motivated Crimes.
Strategic Plan Focus
Communications & Civic Engagement
Body
Staff Recommends: Approval of the attached Ordinance.
Explanation:
SECOND READING:
No changes since first reading.
FIRST READING:
Jews are consistently one of the most targeted religious communities in the United States. Jewish institutions such as synagogues, Jewish community centers, and Jewish schools are also the unfortunate targets of antisemitic incidents, including vandalism, harassment, assaults, and deadly violence. Antisemitic incidents are being reported at record levels as Jews are regularly targeted because of their actual or perceived support for Israel and Zionism.
Broward County, home to the third-largest population of Holocaust survivors in the world, has not been immune to antisemitism. The Kantor Center recently released a report stating that the working definition of antisemitism of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance ("IHRA") "has become a barometer in the global fight against Jew-hatred, serving as a comprehensive and well-known tool to monitor, measure and ultimately combat contemporary manifestations of this age-old societal scourge." We believe adopting a working definition of antisemitism similar to that of the IHRA and establishing its intent that the definitions of bias-motivated crimes and antisemitism be considered in determining the motivation behind a violation of law would help fight the serious, pervasive, and enduring problem of antisemitism and benefit the entire community.
As Chapter 133 of the City Code regulates offenses against public peace and safety within the City, an amendment to Chapter 133 would address rising incidents of antisemitism.
Fiscal Impact:
There is no anticipated fiscal impact.
Recommended for inclusion on the agenda by:
Douglas R. Gonzales, City Attorney