Davis County Commission adopts resolution condemning antisemitism and endorsing IHRA working definition

The Davis County Commission on June 9 unanimously adopted Resolution 2026‑21 condemning antisemitism and formally endorsing the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism as a nonbinding policy tool. The resolution followed a remote presentation by Lisa Katz, who was introduced on the agenda as representing the Anti‑Defamation League and who identified herself as "chief government affairs officer with the Combat Anti‑Semitism Movement."

"You can't solve a problem that you can't define," Lisa Katz told the commission, arguing the IHRA definition helps officials and community leaders recognize forms of antisemitism that can be masked as political speech. Katz emphasized the definition does not criminalize or censor criticism of Israel, saying the working text "creates no penalties. It creates no crimes. It censors no one."

Commission discussion that preceded the vote centered on the need for clarity, local leadership against hate, and the county's responsibility to protect residents. The item was introduced on the agenda as a presentation and the chair moved to approve Resolution 2026‑21; a second was recorded and the motion passed on a voice vote. The meeting transcript records the affirmative vote as "I" from commissioners; no roll‑call tally with names or counts was recorded in the transcript.

Supporters told the commission adopting the IHRA working definition provides a common, educational framework to identify antisemitic conduct—particularly modern forms that may be cloaked as political criticism—without restricting protected speech. The presentation cited national trends, including increased harassment of Jewish students and vandalism of Jewish‑owned businesses, as part of the case for local clarity and action.

The resolution is nonbinding. Commissioners did not attach enforcement penalties to the definition during the meeting; the document adopted by the commission is framed as policy guidance and an educational tool for county officials, law enforcement, and community partners.

Next steps described during the meeting: commissioners and staff may incorporate the adopted definition into training, guidance, or communications; no specific implementation timeline or enforcement mechanism was announced during the meeting.