Eric Adams signed a high-profile executive order this week requiring New York City departments to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s antisemitism definition. Adams connected the policy to recent attacks on Israeli diplomatic personnel and emphasized the need for decisive action given the normalization of what he characterized as antisemitic propaganda masquerading as legitimate activism.
The IHRA definition contains examples that have become flashpoints in debates over the appropriate boundaries of antisemitism identification. Critics argue that provisions identifying certain forms of Israeli policy criticism as antisemitic could be misused to suppress legitimate discourse, particularly in educational settings where Middle East issues are frequently debated.
With the Democratic primary approaching rapidly, Adams’ policy decision reflects his effort to maintain Jewish voter support while competing against candidates with dramatically different perspectives on Israel-Palestine issues. Andrew Cuomo has established himself as an unwavering ally of Israel, while Zohran Mamdani has consistently advocated for Palestinian rights and called Israeli actions genocidal.