In a letter signed by more than 160 Jewish organizations, the United Nations was urged to include the IHRA working definition of antisemitism as part of its upcoming plan to combat anti-Jewish hate.

The letter was originally signed by the American Jewish Committee, the Anti-Defamation League, the European Jewish Congress and the World Jewish Congress. It was sent on Thursday to U.N. Sec.-General Antonio Guterres to request that the agency include the definition adopted at the IHRA Plenary Meeting in Bucharest in 2016. The IHRA definition defines as “a certain perception about Jews that may be expressed in hatred towards Jews,” as well as “rhetorical or physical manifestations” of antisemitism directed at Jewish and non-Jewish people and/or property.

According to a release from the AJC , 160 Jewish community and group representatives signed the letter of support for the motion.

“We, the undersigned Jewish communities and organizations, civil society organizations, and scholars and practitioners from around the world, write to you regarding the ‘UN Action Plan on monitoring antisemitism and enhancing a system-wide response’ that Under-Secretary-General Moratinos is presently finalizing in his capacity as the UN’s senior focal point on antisemitism since 2020,” the letter read. The letter stated that “it is our collective opinion that the non-legally-binding International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance Working Definition of Antisemitism (IHRA), which is a tool that can be used in a way that is consistent with fundamental human right standards, is an essential tool for understanding and fighting antisemitism.”

Dr. Ahmed Shaheed is the U.N. Special Reporter on Freedom of Religion or Belief. He presented a global report in 2019 on antisemitism and was then commissioned to develop a plan for combating antisemitism. Shaheed’s ” 8 Point Action Plan to Advance the Implementation” was presented in 2022. This prompted Jewish groups to express their support and encouraged the U.N. use the definition to give “succinct examples and practical explanations that can assist governments and individuals on all levels of society.”

A spokesperson from the Secretary-General told the Daily Caller News Foundation they “could confirm that the letter has been received today and that it will be reviewed in due time.”

Last week, the U.N. was criticized for hosting a event that commemorated the founding of Israel as a Palestinian Nakba.