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The East Palo Alto City Council approved a measure on Tuesday endorsing the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism.
The “Proclamation of the City of East Palo Alto Affirming the City’s Commitment to Combat Antisemitism” says:
— The City Council of the City of East Palo Alto unequivocally condemns antisemitism in all its forms and rejects the normalization of antisemitic rhetoric, stereotypes, harassment, discrimination, or violence.
— The City of East Palo Alto supports the use of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism as a non-binding educational and analytical framework to help guide municipal training, policy development, and awareness efforts.
— The City encourages continued collaboration with community organizations, educational institutions, and interfaith partners to promote understanding, strengthen prevention efforts, and support the safety and well-being of all residents.
— Nothing in this proclamation shall be construed to diminish constitutionally protected speech or lawful expression.
The full text of the proclamation is available HERE.
The resolution was passed by a 3-2 vote, with Mayor Webster Lincoln and Council Members Mark Dinan and Martha Barragan in support and Vice Mayor Ruben Abrica and Council Member Carlos Romero against.
Tuesday’s City Council meeting was disrupted by a group of keffiyeh-wearing activists carrying Palestinian flags and chanting anti-Israel slogans. They were eventually cleared from the room due to continued disturbances.
Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) Chief Government Affairs Officer Lisa Katz testified in favor of the resolution. After it was passed, she sent a letter to the City Council thanking it for its action.
“At a time when Jewish communities are facing rising hostility, fear, and isolation, your vote sends an important message that antisemitism must be named clearly if it is going to be confronted effectively,” she wrote.
Addressing claims made by opponents of the resolution, Katz noted, “The IHRA definition is not a speech code. It does not prohibit criticism of Israel, advocacy for Palestinians, political disagreement, protest, or debate. In fact, the definition itself makes clear that criticism of Israel similar to that leveled against any other country is not antisemitic. What it does identify are the forms of antisemitism that are often missed or excused in modern public life: conspiracy theories about Jewish power, holding Jews collectively responsible for the actions of the Israeli government, denying the Jewish people the same right to self-determination afforded to others, or using Israel as a vehicle to demonize Jews as Jews. That distinction matters.”
Read Katz’s letter HERE.
As of the end of 2025, a total of 1,330 entities across the globe — including national and local governments, international groups, civic organizations, educational institutions, corporations, and sports clubs, among other bodies — had adopted or endorsed the IHRA antisemitism definition, according to data compiled by CAM’s Antisemitism Research Center (ARC).
At Tuesday’s meeting, the East Palo Alto City Council also passed a proclamation officially recognizing Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM) and encouraging city residents to “learn about and celebrate the diverse contributions of Jewish Americans, confront antisemitism in all its forms, and promote education that deepens understanding of Jewish American history and culture.”
Last week, Mayor Lincoln was among the 50 city leaders from across the U.S. who gathered in Savannah, Georgia, for the “L’Chaim!” forum marking the festive kick-off of CAM’s municipal JAHM activities.
