Dominican Republic Adopts IHRA Antisemitism Definition

The Dominican Republic has formally embraced the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's working definition of antisemitism, becoming the seventh nation in Latin America to adopt the global standard as concerns mount over rising anti-Jewish hatred worldwide.

President Luis Abinader made the announcement Monday at the Combat Antisemitism Movement's sixth-annual Latin American Forum Against Antisemitism in Santo Domingo, with Foreign Minister Víctor Bisonó confirming the move, according to the Jerusalem Post and JNS. The government of the Dominican Republic will adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance Working Definition of Antisemitism, President Luis Abinader declared on Monday at the Combat Antisemitism Movement's sixth annual Latin American Forum Against Antisemitism in Santo Domingo. The Jerusalem Post reported that this will make the Dominican Republic the seventh Latin American nation to officially embrace the IHRA framework, following Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Panama, and Uruguay.

Addressing a packed gala dinner, Abinader delivered a forceful defense of the initiative, stating according to the Jerusalem Post that "antisemitism is not a problem that concerns only the Jewish people... It is a threat to democratic coexistence and to the rights and freedoms of us all." He added that "this fight must be guided by universal principles, not by temporary political circumstances," and that "rejecting antisemitism does not mean taking a position regarding a particular government or conflict."

Israel's Foreign Ministry wasted no time celebrating the decision, writing in a statement cited by VINnews that "we welcome the Dominican Republic's adoption of the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism, becoming the 7th country in Latin America to do so." VINnews further reported that Israel's Foreign Ministry welcomed the move and praised President Luis Abinader.

Abinader's announcement came at a significant gathering. According to The Media Line, the announcement came during the sixth-annual Latin American Forum Against Antisemitism, organized by the Combat Antisemitism Movement, and the gathering brought together more than 70 leaders from 19 countries, including nearly 50 legislators, as well as diplomats, religious leaders, civil society representatives and Jewish organizational officials. The Dominican leader went further still, with the Media Line reporting that Abinader also announced plans to establish the Dominican Republic's first museum dedicated to Jewish history and heritage.

The IHRA definition, which has become a flashpoint in debates over campus and institutional antisemitism in the West, provides concrete guidance for governments. VINnews explained that the IHRA definition provides guidance for identifying antisemitism, including the use of classic antisemitic stereotypes, applying double standards to Israel and denying the Jewish people's right to self-determination. Argentina remains the region's flagship adopter; the Jewish Chronicle noted Argentina holds the sole IHRA full member status in Latin America, while six other Latin American countries have previously adopted the definition, those being Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Panama and Uruguay.

U.S. officials were also on hand pressing the case for regional expansion. The Jerusalem Post reported that Special Envoy Kaploun went on to call on all Latin American countries to follow the Dominican Republic's lead and adopt the IHRA definition. Israel Hayom noted the envoy tied the momentum to a broader political shift, quoting him as saying "Latin America is in the middle of a very transformative time, rejecting a socialist path in favor of prosperity and freedom." He also pushed further, having previously used his platform at the event to press nations in the region to withdraw from the International Criminal Court.

The Dominican government's move appears to have Washington's fingerprints on it as part of a broader diplomatic push. JNS reported that a source familiar with the matter said the Trump administration in Washington is working closely with the government of Argentina to bring more Latin American countries into the IHRA fold, and that progress is expected to be made public soon. Globally, the standard has gained substantial traction, with JNS noting 46 national governments have adopted the definition, along with dozens of US states and more than 1,000 global entities.

The Dominican government also signaled broader alignment with international efforts against Holocaust distortion. Dominican Today reported that the government further noted that the Organization of American States (OAS) adopted the definition as its official framework and that the Dominican Republic supports a United Nations resolution rejecting and condemning Holocaust denial and distortion.

The formal adoption stands in sharp contrast to continued reports of institutionalized antisemitic incitement elsewhere in the region and the Middle East, including watchdog findings on Palestinian Authority school curricula and U.S. officials' warnings that the PA has failed to honor pledges to end terror incitement. No timeline for the Dominican Republic's formal implementation process was immediately detailed by officials.