In a statement about the arson attack on Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson, Miss., Rep. Greg Landsman (D-Ohio), who is Jewish, urged Americans to stop debating definitions of antisemitism.
Many countries, international organizations and others have adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of Jew-hatred. Although the definition recognizes legitimate criticism of the Israeli government, some critics say the definition curbs free speech.
In one of his first actions as mayor of New York City, Zohran Mamdani, who has said he would have the Israeli prime minister arrested in the city, repealed his predecessor’s executive order adopting the IHRA definition.
“Know that Jews have always been the target of hate. That hate is surging,” Landsman stated. “Unfortunately, this is our history. It repeats itself, over and over and over. It stops when everyone stops arguing over what is and isn’t antisemitism—and rejects all of it, no matter what. Please.”
