NYC Mayor Adams Implements Disputed Antisemitism Guidelines Before Primary

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has formally adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism through an executive order signed at a Manhattan synagogue. The decision comes as Adams faces a competitive Democratic primary where his handling of Jewish-Palestinian relations has become a central campaign issue.
The IHRA definition includes controversial examples that critics argue conflate legitimate criticism of Israeli policies with antisemitism. These examples specifically mention “claiming that the existence of a state of Israel is a racist endeavor” and holding Israel to different standards than other democratic nations. Even the original author of this definition has expressed concerns about its potential misuse to silence free speech.
Adams justified the move by citing rising hate crimes against Jewish New Yorkers, who comprise 11% of the city’s population but represent over half of all hate crime victims. His main challengers include former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who has also positioned himself as a strong Israel supporter, and progressive candidate Zohran Mamdani, who has been critical of Israeli actions in Gaza.