Mamdani Admin. Refuses to Codify Antisemitism Definition
The decision follows Mamdani’s move to revoke the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition, which had been adopted by former mayor Eric Adams. The IHRA framework identifies some forms of anti-Israel rhetoric as antisemitic, a position opposed by anti-Israel activists who argue it conflates political criticism with discrimination.
New York City officials said the administration will not adopt a formal definition of antisemitism, following the repeal of a previously used standard by Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Phylisa Wisdom, head of the city’s Office to Combat Antisemitism, told a City Council task force that the administration does not believe a codified definition is necessary, instead handling cases individually based on evidence of “prejudice, violence and discrimination against Jews because they are Jewish.”
The decision follows Mamdani’s move to revoke the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition, which had been adopted by former mayor Eric Adams. The IHRA framework identifies some forms of anti-Israel rhetoric as antisemitic, a position opposed by anti-Israel activists who argue it conflates political criticism with discrimination.
At the hearing, lawmakers pressed officials on how the city would distinguish between anti-Zionism and antisemitism. NYPD representatives said determinations would depend on investigations into motive, noting that hate crime charges require proof that actions were driven by bias against a protected group.
The issue sparked criticism from some council members. Councilmember Simcha Felder called the lack of a clear definition “unconscionable,” arguing it would complicate identifying and prosecuting hate incidents.
The debate comes as Jews remain the most frequently targeted group in hate crimes in New York City, according to officials, and reflects broader disagreements in the US over whether anti-Zionism constitutes antisemitism.