New York City Mayor Eric Adams has officially implemented the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism across city government through an executive order signed at a Manhattan synagogue. The ceremony highlighted Adams’ effort to demonstrate strong leadership on combating antisemitism while addressing what he characterized as normalized hateful rhetoric since October 7, 2023.
The definition has drawn criticism from free speech advocates due to examples that could potentially classify legitimate political criticism of Israeli policies as antisemitic behavior. Critics worry that these provisions might be applied too broadly, particularly in academic institutions where Middle East politics are frequently discussed and where intellectual freedom is considered paramount.
Adams faces challenging circumstances as he campaigns for reelection while dealing with federal corruption charges and strong primary opposition from candidates with opposing views on Israel-Palestine issues. While Andrew Cuomo has positioned himself as a firm supporter of Israeli leadership, Zohran Mamdani has consistently advocated for Palestinian rights and described Israeli actions as genocidal.