Overview

• New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani said he would rescind the city’s use of the IHRA working definition of antisemitism, arguing it conflates criticism of Israel and Zionism with antisemitism and noting his support for BDS.
• Reps. Mike Lawler and Josh Gottheimer issued a joint statement calling Mamdani’s stance “shameful, dangerous, and completely disgusting” while labeling BDS antisemitic and criticizing his refusal to outright condemn the call to “globalize the intifada.”
• The two lawmakers urged passage of the Antisemitism Awareness Act, which would codify IHRA, though the bill has seen no movement in the House this session and faces Senate hurdles after poison-pill amendments.
• The Anti-Defamation League said it welcomed New York City’s adoption of IHRA and warned that efforts to dismantle or discredit the consensus around the definition are dangerous and out of step.
• Mayor Eric Adams adopted IHRA by executive order in June, and a Mamdani spokesperson said his administration would follow the White House’s National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism, emphasizing education, community engagement, and accountability.