New York City Mayor Eric Adams signed a historic executive order on Sunday adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism.
“Today, we signed a landmark executive order to adopt an internationally recognized definition of antisemitism, but we must go further. I am calling on the City Council to join this commitment to target antisemitism everywhere it exists and immediately pass a bill to codify this definition into law,” Adams declared during the ceremony at Tribeca Synagogue.
“Antisemitism is a vile disease that’s been spreading across our nation and our city. What’s worse, since Hamas’ terror attacks on October 7, 2023, we have seen this hateful rhetoric become normalized on our campuses, in our communities, and online, as antisemitic propaganda far too often masquerades as ‘activism.’”
First adopted by the alliance’s 31 member states in May 2016, the IHRA definition outlines specific contemporary examples of antisemitism, including “denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, e.g., by claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor” and “holding Jews collectively responsible for actions of the state of Israel.”
NYPD data shows that antisemitic crimes represented 54% of the 641 total hate crimes reported to police in the city in 2024, amounting to an antisemitic crime every 25 hours on average.
Meanwhile, Adams is gathering signatures to run in the city’s general election in November on two ballot lines: “EndAntiSemitism” and “Safe&Affordable.” Both Adams and Democratic frontrunner Andrew Cuomo have made antisemitism central to their campaigns.
“When New York City acts, the rest of the world follows,” said Sacha Roytman, chief executive officer, Combat Antisemitism Movement. “Adopting and implementing the IHRA definition is one of the most practical and effective steps municipal authorities can take to address rising antisemitism and protect Jewish communities.”
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