Gov. Kathy Hochul avoided directly addressing criticism of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s new strategy for fighting antisemitism, particularly concerns that the plan does not define antisemitism or acknowledge Zionism.
Hochul, a Democrat seeking reelection in November, declined to comment on what critics describe as one of the report’s biggest shortcomings: its lack of a formal definition of antisemitism.
Mamdani has faced growing backlash for repeatedly sidestepping requests to define antisemitism and for refusing to affirm Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state.
“The administration is taking steps in the right direction, and I think we should applaud that,” Hochul said Tuesday after an unrelated news conference. She maintained that she was not familiar with the details of the report.
“I don’t know what they described, but all I know is we have a definition in New York, and we have a strong plan in New York,” Hochul said.
New York’s Human Rights Law does not establish a specific definition of antisemitism. Hochul did issue a 2022 proclamation that included one.
City Hall briefed Hochul’s office on the plan Monday evening, according to sources who spoke with The Post. The briefing reportedly included discussion of the report’s decision not to include a definition of antisemitism.
Supporters of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition argue that adopting it as a legal standard would strengthen efforts to prosecute hate crimes targeting Jewish people.
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The IHRA describes antisemitism as “a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews.”
Its working definition adds that antisemitism can appear in rhetorical or physical attacks against Jewish and non-Jewish individuals, their property, Jewish community organizations and religious institutions.
State Assemblyman Sam Berger, a Queens Democrat, said Hochul should establish the definition through an executive order or lawmakers should enact it through his proposed legislation, the HOPE Act.
“I’m grateful to the Governor for standing by a statewide definition, but respectfully, a non-legally binding document is not going to cut it,” said Berger, who is Orthodox Jewish.
Hochul’s comments come as she works to win over voters aligned with Mamdani. Polls show her within single digits of Republican gubernatorial contender Bruce Blakeman, the current Nassau County executive.
Hochul had promoted plans to appear with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in Ithaca on Sunday, but her office said the governor canceled because of severe weather in New York City.
During that Sunday gathering, some AOC supporters chanted the controversial pro-Palestinian slogan “from the river to the sea.” Critics argue the phrase calls for the elimination of Israel and its people.
Mamdani defended the initiative, saying its funding for additional Title IX coordinators, nonprofit grants and increased security was needed to confront what he called the “scourge” of antisemitism.
Data released last month showed hate crimes had risen nearly 16% compared with 2025, while incidents motivated by anti-Jewish bias increased by 8%.
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