NY Democrats Pass Resolution Condemning Antisemitism Amid 'Soft on Hate' Claims
The state party approved the measure shortly after re-electing Jay Jacobs as chairman, aiming to counter accusations of leniency towards anti-Jewish sentiment.
The New York State Democratic Committee has passed a resolution condemning antisemitism, a move designed to counter claims that party leadership is lenient on anti-Jewish hate. The resolution was approved earlier this month, shortly after Jay Jacobs, who is Jewish and supports Israel, was re-elected as the party chairman.
"I feel very good about it. I’m constantly responding to claims that Democrats are soft on antisemitism," Jacobs told The Post. "It’s just not true."
The party's official press release on the election of officers did not mention the resolution, which Jacobs attributed to an oversight amidst the focus on internal elections. "That was a mistake. We dropped the ball," he stated. "I want the people to know what the New York Democratic Party is doing to confront antisemitism. It’s consequential."
Some progressive factions within the party had pushed to oust Jacobs, citing concerns over his leadership and his refusal to endorse New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani the previous year. Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman also recently accused Mamdani of antisemitism during a debate with Governor Kathy Hochul.
Jacobs, however, defended Mamdani, stating that his pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel views do not equate to antisemitism. "Zohran Mamdani is not an antisemite. He sympathizes with the Palestinian cause, and he opposes some of the actions of the Israeli government. I have disagreements with him on some of the issues," Jacobs said, adding that Blakeman's accusation was a "shameful" political tactic.
The newly passed resolution outlines contemporary forms of antisemitism, including Holocaust denial, the spread of conspiracy theories alleging Jewish control, accusations of dual loyalty to Israel, and the use of Israel as a pretext for hostility toward Jewish people. It also condemns overt acts such as violence, vandalism, and the display of symbols like swastikas and Nazi salutes.
"No person should be subjected to violence, targeted discrimination, intimidation, or harassment because of their religion, heritage, or ethnicity; now, therefore, be it. Resolved, that the New York State Democratic Committee: Condemns all antisemitic violence, intimidation, discrimination, and aggression,” the measure states.
The resolution also acknowledges Governor Hochul's signing of a buffer-zone law that criminalizes harassment outside places of worship and commends Mamdani's efforts to increase funding for the Office of Hate Crime Prevention.
Furthermore, the resolution calls for legislation and resources to combat antisemitism and hate crimes, as well as educational initiatives statewide focusing on Jewish history, contributions, the Holocaust, and current manifestations of antisemitism. It also urges all individuals holding Democratic Party positions to adhere to the party's platform on fighting hate.