Reps. Lawler, Gottheimer rip Mamdani for scrapping Holocaust group’s antisemitism definition

A bipartisan duo of congressmen representing both sides of the Hudson joined forces Wednesday to slam mayoral front-runner Zohran Mamdani for opposing a Holocaust remembrance group’s definition of “antisemitism.”

Mayor Eric Adams signed an executive order in June that uses the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition as part of a push against anti-Jewish hate.

The IHRA definition — used in 35 states and much of the world — calls antisemitism “a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews.”

“Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities,” the definition states.

But the democratic socialist told Bloomberg News last week that he would stop using the IHRA definition of antisemitism if elected mayor because it conflates criticism of Israel and Zionism with antisemitism.

“I am someone who has supported and support BDS [boycott, divestment and sanctions movement] and nonviolent approaches to address Israeli state violence,” he said at the time.

“Zohran Mamdani’s reckless attempt to roll back New York City’s adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism is shameful, dangerous, and completely disgusting,” Reps. Mike Lawler (R-Hudson Valley) and Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) said in a joint statement.

“Let’s be extremely clear: the BDS movement is antisemitic. Efforts to delegitimize Israel’s right to exist are antisemitic. And refusing to outright condemn the violent call to ‘globalize the intifada’ — offering only that you’d discourage its use — is indefensible,” Lawler and Gottheimer added.

“There are no two sides about the meaning of this slogan — it is hate speech, plain and simple. Given the sharp spike in antisemitic violence, families across the Tri-State area should be alarmed. Leaders cannot equivocate when it comes to standing against antisemitism and the incitement of violence against Jews.”

The House members are pushing for passage of the Antisemitism Awareness Act in Congress, which enshrines the IHRA definition in law.

The Anti-Defamation League has said IHRA’s definition is the best approach to stamp out Jewish hate, and that abandoning it would be “dangerous” and “out of step” with mainstream consensus.

“ADL proudly welcomed New York City joining the coalition of cities who use the IHRA Working Definition,” the organization said. “Efforts to dismantle or discredit this consensus are dangerous and out of step with the broad, bipartisan, and international recognition that the IHRA Working Definition is a vital tool in combating antisemitism.”

“A Mamdani administration will approach antisemitism in line with the Biden Administration’s National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism,” Mamdani rep Dora Pekec said, “a strategy that emphasizes education, community engagement, and accountability to reverse the normalization of antisemitism and promote open dialogue.”