In an editorial, two Democratic and two Republican Hudson County officials call on the New Jersey legislature to approve a bill defining anti-Semitism.
We, the undersigned, condemn anti-Semitism and urge the New Jersey Legislature to pass the bill defining it – A-3558.
This legislation, supported by leaders across New Jersey, aims to codify a clear and internationally recognized definition of anti-Semitism.
It does not create new legal penalties—hate speech, even when vile, remains protected under the First Amendment. But to confront bigotry, we must first name it. That’s why defining anti-Semitism is essential.
The definition adopted in this bill comes from the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA).
In the wake of October 7, 2023, this clarity is more important than ever. Since the Hamas massacre, we’ve seen calls for a second Holocaust, Nazi salutes outside New Jersey synagogues, and chants of “From the river to the sea” and “Globalize the intifada.”
These are not critiques of policy—they are calls for the destruction of the Jewish state and the erasure of Jewish identity. That is bigotry. That is anti-Semitism.
On the night of October 7, while civilians were still under attack, dozens drove through New Jersey towns waving flags of terrorist organizations and yelling “Death to Israel” and “F*** the Jews.”
That wasn’t criticism of Israel’s response—it hadn’t even begun. From the Colorado arsonist who murdered an American Jew by fire to the DC Holocaust Museum shooter who killed two innocents, these were not protests against policy.
They were hate crimes targeting Jews for simply being Jewish.
When we fail to name and confront anti-Semitism, we open the door to discrimination and violence. Jewish students across the U.S. have been harassed on college campuses just for displaying Jewish symbols or supporting Israel’s right to exist—all under the guise of “anti-Zionism.”
This is not what American values represent. No one should feel unsafe because of their race, faith, or national origin.
We call on the Legislature to pass this bill defining anti-Semitism. It sends a clear and vital message: calling for the destruction of the world’s only Jewish state—and denying Jewish people the right to live safely and freely—is not acceptable in New Jersey, or anywhere.
Signed,
Jerry Walker (D) – Hudson County commissioner (*the above statement is made in my capacity as a private citizen, and not on behalf of the Hudson County Board of Commissioners)
Jose Arango (R) – Hudson County GOP chair
Natalia Ioffe (D) – Jersey City Board of Education trustee (*the above statement is made in my capacity as a private citizen, and not on behalf of the school board)
Joshua Sotomayor Einstein (R) – Hudson County GOP vice chair for communications