Yesterday, Mayor Eric Adams signed an executive order adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism – a definition that conflates criticism of Israeli state actions and ideologies with anti-Jewish bigotry. This order is bad for Jews, bad for academic freedom, bad for anyone who supports Palestinian freedom and equality, and bad for American democracy.
 

Codifying this definition creates the pretext for city and state actors to inflict punitive measures against New Yorkers speaking out and organizing against Israeli state violence – whether rallying in the streets, speaking out on social media, or organizing neighbors.

The IHRA definition is often adopted by institutions & governments as a “quick fix” to antisemitism, precluding the more complex and long-term project of identifying the root causes of anti-Jewish bigotry and working to dismantle them. Rather than shield Jews from harassment, threats, and violence, the IHRA definition targets Constitutionally-protected speech in support of Palestinian human rights. The original drafter of the IHRA definition, Kenneth Stern, has himself decried the harmful consequences of codifying the definition into law.

This morning, the New York Civil Liberties union slammed this executive order saying, “Mayor Adams is weaponizing the critical fight against antisemitism to suppress protected political speech he doesn’t like… the IHRA definition… violates the Constitution’s free speech protections. It’s yet another example of the Mayor twisting to do Trump’s bidding.”

Our local legislators need to hear from their Jewish constituents that we are opposed to this!

• Mayor Eric Adams has signed an executive order to adopt the IHRA in NYC
• Adams is urging the city council to vote to codify this – they will likely vote on it soon
• The NY State Assembly Codes committee just moved forward a similar bill that would apply statewide.
• The full NY State Senate & Assembly is likely to have to vote on adopting the IHRA definition state-wide in the next week.

New York must not adopt a stance that undermines free speech and democracy in the name of Jewish safety. Fill out this form to EMAIL and CALL Mayor Adams, your City Council member, your State Assembly member, and your State Senator: Do NOT force NY to adopt the IHRA Definition!