Statement on the IHRA definition:
"I would not sign any bill that would redefine antisemitism to include criticism of the State of Israel.
"The fight against antisemitism is crucial, and we must be vigilant against hatred in all its forms. However, we cannot allow the definition of antisemitism to be used as a tool to silence legitimate criticism of government policies.
"The IHRA definition, as it is being applied in certain cases, risks conflating criticism of the policies of the State of Israel with hatred toward Jewish people. That is a dangerous precedent that undermines free speech and stifles necessary political discourse.
"As a Black man in America who deeply loves this country, I also recognize that loving America does not mean I have to endorse slavery, Jim Crow, or any of the injustices that have been carried out under the banner of the state. Similarly, people should be able to critique policies of the Israeli government without being labeled antisemitic, just as criticizing American policies—past or present—does not mean one is anti-American.
"We must make a clear and unequivocal distinction between the people who govern the State of Israel and Jewish people worldwide, including those in Israel itself.
"Jewish people and the State of Israel have every right to exist, to live in peace, and to be free from discrimination, hate, or terror. Their safety and security must never be compromised. At the same time, people must also have the right to call out policies that they believe contribute to injustice, oppression, or human rights violations.
"Antisemitism is real, and we must continue to confront it, just as we must continue to fight against racism, Islamophobia, and all other forms of bigotry.
"We must be honest and courageous in our conversations about justice, both here at home and abroad. Shielding any government from accountability by labeling criticism as hate speech does not serve democracy, human rights, or the values we hold dear.
"We can oppose antisemitism while also upholding the fundamental right to speak truth to power - whether that power is in Washington or anywhere else in the world." - Mayor Ras J. Baraka
