The New York Democratic Party has quietly approved a resolution condemning antisemitism as it pushes back against claims that its leaders are “soft” on anti-Jewish hatred.
The largely overlooked measure passed overwhelmingly earlier this month, shortly after Jay Jacobs, a Jewish party leader and supporter of Israel, was decisively re-elected as chairman. He defeated insurgent candidate Caitlin Ogden, chair of the Otsego County Democratic Party.
“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 New York Democratic Party’s official Oct. 1 press release announcing the election of its officers did not mention the proposed resolution.
Jacobs said the omission was an oversight that occurred as attention focused on the party’s internal elections, including his own contest.
“That was a mistake. We dropped the ball,” he said.
“I want the people to know what the New York Democratic Party is doing to confront antisemitism. It’s consequential,” Jacobs said.
Progressives within the party had sought to remove Jacobs, who also chairs the Nassau County Democratic Party, citing what they described as weak leadership and his refusal last year to endorse New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman called Mamdani an “antisemite” during a debate last week with Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Jacobs’ relatively moderate position within the party, including his support for Israel, has frustrated some progressives and critics of Israel.
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The new resolution says contemporary antisemitism can appear through subtle rhetoric, coded language and dog whistles, including Holocaust denial or distortion; modern blood libels portraying Jewish people as inherently murderous or as targeting children; conspiracy theories alleging Jewish control of governments, financial institutions or the media; accusations of dual loyalty to Israel; and the use of Israel as a pretext for hostility toward Jewish people or institutions.
“Antisemitism continues to be expressed through overt acts of intimidation and violence,” the resolution states, citing assaults on Jewish individuals, vandalism of Jewish institutions, swastikas, Nazi symbols and Nazi salutes, threats against synagogues and schools, and other acts intended to intimidate or terrorize Jewish communities.
“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 praised Hochul for signing a buffer-zone law that specifically criminalizes harassment outside synagogues and other houses of worship.
It also applauded Mamdani’s 900% increase in funding for the city’s Office of Hate Crime Prevention in this year’s budget.
Jacobs defended Mamdani in an interview with The Post, arguing that the mayor’s pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel views do not make him antisemitic.
“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.
“The fact that Bruce Blakeman said that is an effort to get votes, and it’s shameful.”
The Democratic Party’s resolution also calls for legislation, funding and other resources to combat antisemitism and hate crimes. It supports statewide educational initiatives covering Jewish history, contributions and experiences, the Holocaust and present-day forms of antisemitism.
The statement calls on all individuals campaigning for or holding Democratic Party positions to abide by the spirit and intent of the hate fighting party platform.
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