Bipartisan Lawmakers Criticize Mayor Mamdani’s Stance on Anti-Semitism Definition
A bipartisan group of lawmakers from both sides of Hudson took aim at Mayor Zoolan Mamdani on Wednesday for his opposition to a widely accepted definition of anti-Semitism put forth by the Holocaust Memory Group.
In June, Mayor Eric Adams signed an executive order adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition as part of a broader initiative to combat anti-Semitic sentiment.
This definition, which is utilized by 35 states and many countries, describes anti-Semitism as “a specific perception of Jews that can manifest as hatred towards them.”
It further explains that “the rhetorical and physical expressions of anti-Semitism can target Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or property, as well as Jewish community institutions and religious sites.”
However, democratic socialists hinted to Bloomberg News last week that if they gained the mayoralty, they would discontinue the use of the IHRA definition. They expressed concern that it allows for conflating criticism of Israel and Zionism with anti-Semitism.
“I stand behind the BDS movement—Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions—as a peaceful means of addressing the actions of the Israeli state,” Mamdani remarked during a previous interview.
Lawmakers responded strongly, calling Mamdani’s attempt to roll back the IHRA definition “shameful, dangerous, and utterly unacceptable.” They emphasized that such views do nothing but fuel anti-Semitism.
Representative Mike Lawler and Representative Josh Gottheimer weighed in, stating, “Let’s be clear: The BDS movement is inherently anti-Semitic. Any attempt to undermine Israel’s right to exist is anti-Semitic. We cannot overlook violent rhetoric that encourages global uprisings.” They expressed concern about the increasing incidents of anti-Semitic violence and urged leaders to be unequivocal in their responses.
House members are currently advocating for the passage of the Anti-Semitism Enlightenment Acts in Congress, which uphold the IHRA’s definition as crucial to combatting anti-Semitism.
The Prevention League has echoed this sentiment, arguing that distancing from the IHRA definition poses a “dangerous” risk that undermines a broadly accepted framework for addressing anti-Jewish hatred.
“The ADL applauds New York City for aligning with the coalition of cities adopting the IHRA definition,” noted the organization. “Attempts to undermine this consensus are precarious and would move away from a vital international framework essential to fighting anti-Semitism.”
In response, Mamdani’s office stated that his administration would approach anti-Semitism in concert with the Biden administration’s national strategy. This strategy emphasizes education, community involvement, and accountability as means to confront and reverse the normalization of anti-Semitism while promoting open dialogue.
