Jersey City Council hopeful speaks out against N.J. bill to define anti-Semitism

Jersey City Ward D council candidate Jake Ephros spoke out against a New Jersey bill to define anti-Semitism during a committee hearing today.

By John Heinis/Hudson County View

“I’m speaking today in opposition against [Bill] S-1292, which would establish an unhelpful, counterproductive, and dangerous definition of antisemitism in New Jersey. New Jersey adopting the IHRA definition of antisemitism misses the mark of a more serious problem we need to solve,” he said before the New Jersey Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism, and Historic Preservation Committee.

“Is it helpful for us to have clear avenues for combating anti-Semitic threats, like bomb threats called into synagogues? Of course. But the IHRA definition clouds more than it clears up, leaving room to conflate anti-Zionism with anti-Semitism. Last year, over one hundred civil society groups urged the United Nations not to adopt the IHRA definition on antisemitism, precisely because it gets used against pro-Palestinian activists.”

The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, in part, defines anti-Semitism as aiding accusing Jewish people as a group of being responsible for wrongdoing committed by a single person or justifying the killing or harming of Jews in the name of extreme religious views.

According to Ephros, the definition has been used by “Zionist Groups” to silence advocacy groups and movements who are pro-Palestine in light of the war in Gaza.

“Though the IHRA definition says we shouldn’t equate Jews and Israel, those who wish to weaponize the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism will commit the very misdeeds they’re claiming to oppose,” he added.

” … I am one of many Jews vocally supporting a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, supporting an end to the Occupation and Israeli apartheid, and supporting the recent Uncommitted vote—a vote cast by over forty thousand New Jerseyeans in the Democratic Party primary election, expressing solidarity with Palestine and condemning the ongoing, genocidal attacks on Gaza.”

The bill was sponsored by state Senators James Beech (D-6) and Robert Singer (R-30), with Gordon Johnson (D-37), Anthony Bucco (R-25), Joseph Pennacchio (R-26), Holly Schepisi (R-39), Doug Steinhardt (R-23), Paul Sarlo (D-36), and Owen Henry (R-12) serving as co-sponsors.

Ephros announced he would be challenging Ward D Councilman Yousef Saleh in the non-partisan November 3rd, 2025 earlier this month, as HCV first reported.