In what Kevin Byrne, the Putnam County executive, called “a significant move to combat rising antisemitism,” the county in the Hudson Valley on New York’s border with Connecticut adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) working definition of Jew-hatred to guide its assessment of hate crimes.
The county’s legislature passed Resolution 308 unanimously and Byrne signed it last week.
“The rise of antisemitism in this country is deeply troubling and demands action,” Byrne stated. “By adopting the IHRA’s definition, we’re taking a strong stance to educate, prevent and combat hate within our community.”
Bill Gouldman, the country legislator who introduced the resolution, stated that “we must stand with our Jewish neighbors to battle antisemitism in all forms.”
“I’m glad to see local leaders like Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne taking charge and fighting back against antisemitism,” stated Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.).