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Mamdani opts not to define antisemitism in report to combat Jewish hate crimes
By
Elizabeth Kim
Published Sep 29, 2026
Modified Sep 29, 2026
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Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images
By
Elizabeth Kim
Published Sep 29, 2026
Modified Sep 29, 2026
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Mayor Zohran Mamdani opted not to include a definition of antisemitism as part of a highly anticipated plan released Tuesday laying out strategies to combat Jewish hate crimes.
The decision avoids a hotly debated issue over whether certain criticism of Israel’s conduct in Gaza and the West Bank constitutes antisemitism.
“New York City can and will leverage all of the tools at its disposal to combat antisemitism effectively without needing to adopt a definition for this specific form of hate,” the plan states.
Mamdani has said the 35-page document from the Mayor’s Office to Combat Antisemitism is the nation’s first-ever municipal plan to tackle antisemitism. It comes as crimes against Jewish New Yorkers are on the rise: Antisemitic hate-crimes are up 9% compared to last year, according to the NYPD. And while Jews make up only about 10% of the city, they have been the targets in more than half of all confirmed hate crimes.
As part of the plan, the city will invest $6.4 million on hate crime prevention and support for victims. Another $1 million will go toward providing additional security at synagogues and other houses of worship.
The plan had a significant cultural and educational component, including a $2 million investment in a Holocaust memorial in Queens, and $2.5 million for the Center for New Jewish Culture, a community center planned in Central Brooklyn. The city will work to increase participation in a program that allows eighth graders to visit the Museum of Jewish Heritage for free.
The mayor’s relationship with some Jewish leaders has been strained amid his vocal criticism of Israel over the war in Gaza, which has killed 74,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry. In July, he released a video calling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a “war criminal.”
In a video announcing his new plan on Tuesday, Mamdani spoke directly about the rising threat of antisemitism. “Time and again, I've heard the same thing: Antisemitism is real, and it is growing,” he said.
But the decision not to define antisemitism will likely face criticism from some Jewish organizations. The Anti-Defamation League, for example, had called on Mamdani to include a definition of antisemitism as part of his plan.
Others, including some Jewish groups, say the definition erroneously conflates antisemitism with anti-Zionism and is designed to discourage reasonable criticism of Israel.
A definition put forward by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) has cited types of criticisms of Israel – including holding the country to a “double standard” and describing Israel’s existence as a “racist endeavor” — as examples of antisemitism.
The Trump administration has adopted the IHRA definition.
Previous Mayor Eric Adams had issued an executive order adopting the IHRA definition. But days into office, Mamdani revoked that order along with another that banned city agencies from boycotting Israel.
Mamdani’s plan does cite a framework proposed by the Biden administration that describes antisemitism as “a stereotypical and negative perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred of Jews.”
It also notes that every crime that may be bias-motivated is investigated by the NYPD’s Hate Crimes Task Force.
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Elizabeth Kim
Elizabeth Kim is a reporter on the People and Power desk who covers mayoral power. She previously covered the pandemic, housing, redevelopment and public spaces. A native of Queens, she speaks fluent Mandarin. Got a tip? Email [email protected]
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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