NYC Takes a Stand Against Antisemitism—But Is It Enough?
So here’s the thing—New York City just made a big move. On Sunday, Mayor Eric Adams signed an executive order adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism. Basically, the city’s saying: we’re done pretending this isn’t a problem. With hate crimes against Jewish New Yorkers skyrocketing—up 24% last year alone—something had to give. But here’s where it gets tricky: while everyone agrees antisemitism is awful, not everyone’s thrilled about how the city plans to tackle it.
Okay, But What Exactly Is This IHRA Thing?
Let me break it down. The IHRA—a group of governments that’s been around since the ’90s—defines antisemitism as more than just old-school hatred. We’re talking about:
- People straight-up denying the Holocaust happened (which, come on)
- Blaming all Jewish people for what Israel does—like they’re some hive mind
- Those tired stereotypes about Jews controlling banks or the media
About 40 countries already use this definition. But here’s the kicker: some folks worry it could shut down legit criticism of Israel’s government. And that’s where things get messy.
Why Now? The Backstory You Need
Picture this: last Hanukkah, some guy throws a punch at a rabbi in Midtown. A few weeks later, swastikas show up in a Brooklyn subway station. It’s been like this for months—small attacks adding up to something big. Adams, who’s always been close with the Jewish community, basically said “enough is enough.” But here’s what most headlines miss: this isn’t just about cops making more arrests. The real game-changer? Schools will now use this definition when teaching about hate.
What’s Actually in This Executive Order?
Signed at the Museum of Jewish Heritage—nice symbolic touch—the order does three main things:
- Every city agency, from schools to police, has to use the IHRA definition
- Staff get yearly training (no more “I didn’t know that was antisemitic” excuses)
- A new task force will check if everyone’s actually following through
Important note: this doesn’t create new laws. It’s more like giving everyone the same rulebook.
Mixed Reactions—Because of Course
Jewish leaders? Mostly thrilled. The ADL’s CEO called it “a wake-up call for haters.” But then you’ve got groups like the ACLU sweating over free speech. Their argument: “What if someone criticizes Israel’s policies and gets wrongly labeled antisemitic?” Fair point. The NYCLU director put it well: “We’re walking a tightrope here—fighting hate without shutting down debate.”
What Changes Tomorrow Morning?
Short term? Probably not much. Cops aren’t suddenly busting down doors. But long term—this could shift how kids learn about hate in schools. The NYPD commissioner said something interesting: “We’re not just reacting to hate crimes now; we’re trying to prevent the next generation from learning to hate.” Bold claim. Let’s see if it works.
How NYC Stacks Up Against Other Cities
We’re not the first to do this—London and Berlin beat us to it. But here’s the difference: in Europe, it’s more of a suggestion. NYC’s making it official policy. That’s kind of our style though, right? Go big or go home.
What’s Next? Your Guess Is As Good As Mine
Adams hinted at more coming down the pipeline—maybe new laws, definitely some interfaith programs. But let’s be real: in a city where everyone’s got an opinion (and isn’t afraid to yell it), the real test is whether this brings people together or just gives them one more thing to fight about.
The Bottom Line
Look, antisemitism’s having a moment—and not the good kind. This move puts NYC out front in fighting it. But definitions don’t change hearts. That’s the hard part no executive order can fix. As Adams said, “Hate has no home here.” Beautiful words. Now let’s see if we can make them true.