Fulop Warns Antisemitism Bill Could Encourage More Antisemitism

Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop is opposing a proposed New Jersey bill aimed at defining antisemitism, arguing that it could have unintended consequences. During a March 12 event in Tenafly, he said, “I don’t think it’s healthy. I think it encourages more antisemitism,” according to a report by NJ Monitor.

Fulop believes the legislation reinforces harmful stereotypes and restricts criticism of Israel. “A bill targeting hate crimes against the Jewish community but no other group plays into stereotypes that Jewish people ‘think that they’re better than others, or they’re unique, or they’re different, or they have a different set of standards,’” he said.

The bill would incorporate the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism into state law. It includes examples such as “claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor,” “drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis,” and “holding Jews collectively responsible for actions of the State of Israel.”

Congressman Josh Gottheimer, who is also running for governor, criticized Fulop’s position. “Steve should get his eyes checked because this bill clearly protects the Jewish community from record levels of antisemitism and upholds First Amendment rights,” said in a statement. “For some reason, he’s decided that he wants to proactively alienate the Jewish community.”

Gottheimer, a strong Israel supporter, is backing a federal version of the bill, the Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2025. He argued that the IHRA definition is necessary to combat rising antisemitism, especially after the October 7 Hamas attacks. “You can criticize Israel all day long if you’d like,” he said. “What you can’t do is call for the destruction or elimination of Israel.”

The bill’s Senate version was amended to clarify that it should not be used to limit criticism of Israel. Fulop pointed out that the Assembly bill lacks that language. “Whether you agree or disagree with what Israel does, you should be able to criticize Ukraine, to criticize Russia, to criticize the United States, and you should be able to criticize Israel,” he said.