Move comes ahead of Democratic primary for New York City mayor, where support for Israel has become key issue
Eric Adams, the mayor of New York City, signed an executive order this week adopting a controversial definition of antisemitism, as Israel’s invasion of Gaza and alleged antisemitism continued to dominate the city’s mayoral election.
The mayor signed the order, which requires city agencies to use the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s description of antisemitism, at a synagogue in Manhattan on Sunday. Adams described antisemitism as “a vile disease that’s been spreading across our nation and our city”.
Critics of the definition say it is designed to protect Israel by punishing legitimate criticism. Examples of antisemitism that accompany the formal definition include “claiming that the existence of a state of Israel is a racist endeavor” and “applying double standards by requiring of [Israel] a behavior not expected or demanded of any other democratic nation”. The lead author of the definition has spoken out against its use to suppress free speech.
The move comes two weeks ahead of the Democratic primary for New York City mayor, where a number of high profile candidates are running against Adams. Support for Israel and the city’s Jewish population has become a key issue, with the frontrunners holding starkly different views on Israel’s war on Gaza.
