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Monday, June 9, 2025
Mayor orders New York City to use IHRA definition of antisemitism
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleLuke Tress is The Times of Israel's New York correspondent.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams announces an executive order to recognize the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism.
The order directs city agencies to use the IHRA definition to identify and address incidents of antisemitism, the mayor’s office says.
Adams’s office also says he is introducing legislation to the city council, calling on the council to codify the IHRA definition.
The IHRA definition of antisemitism has been adopted by groups and governments worldwide, but is contested because it covers some examples of anti-Israel rhetoric, such as denying the Jewish people the right to self determination.
Last month, Adams announced a new task force under his purview aimed at combating antisemitism, responding to major spikes in antisemitic hate crimes in New York City in recent years. The Office to Combat Antisemitism is the first of its kind in a major US city.
The mayor is seeking re-election in November, and has petitioned to run on an “EndAntisemitism” ballot line.
Israel and Jewish issues are prominent topics in the high-profile race for the city’s Democratic party mayoral primary later this month. Adams is running as an independent.
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