Mayor Eric Adams has officially adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism for municipal use through an executive order signed at a synagogue ceremony. The policy announcement came as Adams sought to address rising antisemitic incidents while positioning himself as a protector of Jewish communities ahead of the crucial primary election.
The definition contains controversial examples that critics argue could criminalize legitimate criticism of Israeli state policies. These provisions include identifying as potentially antisemitic any claims that Israel’s existence represents a racist endeavor or any application of standards to Israel that differ from those applied to other democratic nations, raising concerns about free expression limitations.
Adams’ adoption of this definition occurs during a critical period for his political career, as he faces both federal bribery investigations and a primary election where candidates hold vastly different positions on Middle East policy. Former Governor Cuomo has aligned closely with Israeli leadership, even providing legal assistance to Netanyahu, while progressive candidate Mamdani has been highly critical of Israeli actions and called them genocidal.