Gottheimer, Lawler condemn NYC mayoral candidate’s pledge to dismantle IHRA antisemitism definition
NORTH JERSEY — U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the only Jewish member of New Jersey’s congressional delegation, and U.S. Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee, issued a joint statement Thursday after New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani pledged to dismantle the city’s adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism.
“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.
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. 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.
This is exactly why Congress must pass our bipartisan Antisemitism Awareness Act, which enshrines the IHRA definition in law and ensures that the Department of Education has a clear, consistent standard to combat antisemitism wherever it rears its ugly head. We will continue working together, across party lines, to make sure our communities are safe, our values are clear, and antisemitism is confronted head-on.”
The statement comes as reports of antisemitic activity continue to rise nationwide. According to the Anti-Defamation League’s annual Audit of Antisemitic Incidents, college campuses saw an 84% rise in incidents in 2024, with 1,694 cases, making up nearly one in five reported nationwide. The ADL also found that New York and New Jersey led the nation in reported antisemitic incidents last year, with more than 1,400 and 700 cases, respectively.
In total, more than 9,300 incidents of antisemitic harassment, vandalism, and assault were documented in 2024 — the highest number since the ADL began tracking more than four decades ago.
