Eric Adams has officially adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s antisemitism definition for use across New York City government through an executive order signed at a synagogue ceremony. Adams justified the policy by pointing to recent attacks on Israeli diplomatic staff and emphasizing the urgent need to address what he described as rising antisemitic threats in urban communities.
The IHRA definition has sparked debate due to examples that critics argue blur the line between antisemitism and legitimate criticism of Israeli state policies. Civil liberties organizations have expressed concern that these provisions might be misused to limit political discourse, particularly in educational settings where Middle East issues are frequently discussed and debated.
As Adams prepares for a challenging primary election while facing corruption investigations, his stance on this issue may prove crucial given the diverse views of his opponents. Andrew Cuomo has established himself as a strong ally of Israeli leadership, even providing legal support to Netanyahu facing international charges, while Zohran Mamdani has consistently advocated for Palestinian rights and called Israeli actions genocidal.