Mayor Eric Adams signed an executive order this week requiring New York City agencies to use the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s antisemitism definition. The policy announcement at a synagogue highlighted Adams’ response to what he characterized as rising antisemitic incidents and his effort to demonstrate strong leadership on protecting Jewish communities.
The IHRA definition includes controversial examples that critics argue blur the line between antisemitism and legitimate political criticism of Israeli state actions. These provisions specifically identify questioning Israel’s right to exist and applying different standards to Israel as potentially antisemitic, raising concerns about the suppression of free expression and academic freedom.
As Adams campaigns for reelection while facing federal corruption investigations, his policy decision appears calculated to appeal to Jewish voters who previously supported him. However, he faces strong competition from candidates with opposing approaches: Andrew Cuomo has demonstrated firm support for Israeli leadership, while Zohran Mamdani has consistently advocated for Palestinian rights and promised to pursue accountability for what he terms war crimes.
Adams Signs Disputed Anti-Hate Order Amid Electoral Pressure
