New York City Mayor Eric Adams recently recognized the IHRA working definition for antisemitism in New York City.
By Rachel Avraham
New York City Mayor Eric Adams signed Executive Order No. 52 officially recognizing the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism, the Combat Antisemitism Movement reported. According to the report, the order, which takes effect immediately, directs all city agencies to use the definition and its accompanying contemporary examples as a tool for identifying and addressing antisemitism across the five boroughs.
The Combat Antisemitism Movement noted that the move comes amid a historic surge in antisemitic incidents, with Jewish New Yorkers increasingly targeted in hate crimes. According to the New York City Police Department (NYPD), 54 percent of all hate crimes in the city in 2024 were committed against Jewish individuals — a figure that has risen even further in 2025 to 57 percent, underscoring the urgency of coordinated municipal action, the Combat Antisemitism Movement noted.
When Jewish New Yorkers make up 11 percent of the population but more than half of all hate crimes, we know this moment demands bold, decisive action to crack down on anti-Jewish hatred,” Mayor Adams said in a recent press release. “Today, we signed a landmark executive order to adopt an internationally recognized definition of antisemitism, but we must go further.”
The IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism, adopted in 2016 by all 31 member states of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance — including the United States — provides a comprehensive framework for identifying both traditional and contemporary manifestations of antisemitism, the Combat Antisemitism Movement noted. According to the report, it defines antisemitism as “a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews,” and is accompanied by 11 illustrative examples.
The Combat Antisemitism Movement noted that these include Holocaust denial; denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination — for example, by claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor; applying double standards to Israel not expected of any other democratic nation; holding Jews collectively responsible for the actions of the Israeli government; and justifying violence against Jews in the name of radical ideologies.
According to the report, the definition has been officially endorsed by the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Department of Education, 37 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and over 80 local governments and public institutions across the country. The Combat Antisemitism Movement noted that a growing number of major U.S. cities — including Miami and Los Angeles — have also adopted the definition in recent years.
Sacha Roytman, Chief Executive Officer of the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM), welcomed Mayor Adams’ move as a model for other cities around the world to emulate. “When New York City acts, the rest of the world follows,” said Roytman. “Adopting and implementing the IHRA definition is one of the most practical and effective steps municipal authorities can take to address rising antisemitism and protect Jewish communities. We are deeply grateful to Mayor Adams for this latest act of exemplary leadership on his part in the city-level fight against Jew-hatred.”
Photo from NYC Mayor’s Office: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqGbV0Ixsag
