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New York City Mayor Eric Adams signed Executive Order No. 52 on Sunday officially recognizing the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism. The order, which takes effect immediately, directs all city agencies to use the definition and its accompanying contemporary examples as a tool for identifying and addressing antisemitism across the five boroughs.
The move comes amid a historic surge in antisemitic incidents, with Jewish New Yorkers increasingly targeted in hate crimes. According to the New York City Police Department (NYPD), 54 percent of all hate crimes in the city in 2024 were committed against Jewish individuals — a figure that has risen even further in 2025 to 57 percent, underscoring the urgency of coordinated municipal action.
Thank you to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance for gathering as we face new threats to Jewish New Yorkers and find new ways to protect them.
I’m proud to sign an Executive Order making the IHRA working definition of antisemitism our city’s definition of hate… pic.twitter.com/V83dPQBmjJ
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) June 9, 2025
“When Jewish New Yorkers make up 11 percent of the population but more than half of all hate crimes, we know this moment demands bold, decisive action to crack down on anti-Jewish hatred,” Mayor Adams said on Sunday. “Today, we signed a landmark executive order to adopt an internationally recognized definition of antisemitism, but we must go further.”
Watch Sunday’s event with Mayor Adams HERE:
The IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism, adopted in 2016 by all 31 member states of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance — including the United States — provides a comprehensive framework for identifying both traditional and contemporary manifestations of antisemitism. It defines antisemitism as “a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews,” and is accompanied by 11 illustrative examples.
These include Holocaust denial; denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination — for example, by claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor; applying double standards to Israel not expected of any other democratic nation; holding Jews collectively responsible for the actions of the Israeli government; and justifying violence against Jews in the name of radical ideologies.
The definition has been officially endorsed by the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Department of Education, 37 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and over 80 local governments and public institutions across the country. A growing number of major U.S. cities — including Miami and Los Angeles — have also adopted the definition in recent years.
Sacha Roytman, Chief Executive Officer of the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM), welcomed Mayor Adams’ move as a model for other cities around the world to emulate.
“When New York City acts, the rest of the world follows,” said Roytman. “Adopting and implementing the IHRA definition is one of the most practical and effective steps municipal authorities can take to address rising antisemitism and protect Jewish communities. We are deeply grateful to Mayor Adams for this latest act of exemplary leadership on his part in the city-level fight against Jew-hatred.”
“We are deeply grateful to @NYCMayor Eric Adams for this latest act of exemplary leadership on his part in the city-level fight against Jew-hatred,” CAM CEO @SachaRoytman said, welcoming NYC’s recognition of the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism.https://t.co/kxAwwEXaBB
— Combat Antisemitism Movement (@CombatASemitism) June 8, 2025
CAM has worked closely with Mayor Adams over the years to support municipal-oriented efforts to combat antisemitism. In 2022, CAM honored him with its Civic Leadership Award at the Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism in Athens, Greece, in recognition of his longstanding partnership with the Jewish community, his public stance against hatred, and his distinguished service in public safety. Mayor Adams’ participation in the global summit underscored his belief that local governments have a critical role to play in addressing antisemitism and promoting tolerance at the grassroots level.
Executive Order No. 52 emphasizes that its adoption of the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism is not intended to restrict speech protected under the First Amendment or to create new civil or criminal liabilities. Rather, it serves as a practical framework for city agencies to identify and address antisemitism more effectively. By encouraging the use of the IHRA definition and its contemporary examples, the order aims to facilitate constructive discourse, raise awareness, and ensure a more consistent and informed response to antisemitic rhetoric and behavior across New York City.
The executive order is part of a broader citywide initiative to counter rising antisemitism and builds on Mayor Adams’ recent creation of the Mayor’s Office to Combat Antisemitism — the first of its kind in any major U.S. city. The new office is supported by an inter-agency task force that monitors court outcomes, advises on relevant legislation, and coordinates efforts across departments to ensure Jewish New Yorkers feel protected.
These efforts complement other initiatives launched under the Adams administration, including increased support for NYPD hate crime investigations, the establishment of a Jewish Advisory Council, and the “Breaking Bread, Building Bonds” program, which fosters dialogue and connection among diverse communities. In addition to signing the executive order, Mayor Adams also called on the New York City Council on Sunday to codify the IHRA definition into law.
As antisemitism continues to evolve, particularly in the aftermath of the October 7 Hamas attacks, which have fueled a surge in antisemitic rhetoric and violence, the IHRA Working Definition has emerged as a vital tool for recognizing and confronting this growing threat. With this latest executive action, New York City affirms its commitment to protecting its Jewish residents and ensuring that antisemitism is clearly defined, consistently recognized, and effectively addressed at every level of municipal governance.
