(The Center Square) – New York City Mayor Eric Adams is pledging to crack down on Jewish hate crimes as he seeks another term in office, beginning with changes to how the city defines antisemitism.
Adams, a Democrat who is running for reelection as an independent, signed an executive order Sunday adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s “working” definition of antisemitism, which he said is necessary to address a wave of anti-Jewish rhetoric and violence.
“Antisemitism is a vile disease that’s been spreading across our nation and our city,” Adams said in remarks Sunday at the Tribeca Synagogue in Lower Manhattan standing alongside Dr. Phil McGraw. “What’s worse, since Hamas’ terror attacks on Oct. 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.”
Adams said he is also filing legislation to modify the group’s definition into city law, and is urging the Democratic-majority City Council to approve the plan.
“We know this moment demands bold, decisive action to crack down on anti-Jewish hatred,” Adams said. “It’s time we all come together to eradicate this hatred from our city, once and for all.”
The IHRA definition, which is already used by the U.S. State Department, is considered by many Jewish leaders to be the standard in fighting antisemitism.
“Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews,” the group’s definition states. “Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”
By adopting the IHRA’s definition, the Adams administration said city agencies will now be able to use it to help identify and respond to antisemitic incidents. More than half of the hate crimes reported in New York City in March victimized Jews, even though they account for only 11% of the city’s population, the Adams administration said.
Moshe Davis, executive director of the newly created Mayor’s Office to Combat Antisemitism, said recognizing the IHRA definition of antisemitism is “critical to confront hate and understand the pervasiveness of antisemitism.”
“We will no longer tolerate denying the Jewish community the right to self-determination, using code words to demean Jewish New Yorkers, or targeting our community while claiming to target Zionists; we’ve seen the violence this breeds,” Davis said in a statement. “Antisemitism has no place in our schools, our government, or our city.”
The order was criticized by the New York Civil Liberties Union, which accused Adams of “weaponizing” the fight against antisemitism “to suppress protected political speech he doesn’t like.” The group is among those who say segments of the IHRA’s definition, including those citing criticism of Israel, could be exploited.
“Advocates have warned for years that the IHRA definition of antisemitism recklessly conflates criticism of Israel with hate and violates the Constitution’s free speech protections,” Donna Lieberman, the nonprofit’s executive director, said in a statement. “It’s yet another example of the Mayor twisting to do Trump’s bidding.”