Chicago adopts IHRA antisemitism definition while New York rolls it back

Chicago’s City Council unanimously codified the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism after student-led lobbying, while New York City recently reversed its prior adoption under Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

Chicago’s City Council voted unanimously to codify the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism into municipal law after a campaign led by two college students who cited a rise in campus incidents. Supporters described the measure as creating a clearer standard for officials, school administrators and law enforcement. In contrast, New York City recently reversed a prior adoption of the IHRA definition during Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s first week in office. A separate reported incident in Brooklyn involving a vehicle at the entrance of the Chabad-Lubavitch world headquarters led to a hate-crime charge, and no injuries were reported. Key developments: - Chicago’s City Council unanimously codified the IHRA working definition of antisemitism into city law following months of student-led lobbying. - New York City reversed its earlier adoption of the IHRA definition during Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s early term. - A reported vehicle incident at a Brooklyn Jewish institution resulted in a suspect being charged with assault as a hate crime; officials reported no injuries. Summary: These actions show differing municipal approaches to defining and responding to antisemitism, and they have drawn attention from Jewish and civil-rights leaders concerned about clarity in policy and enforcement. Undetermined at this time.