In November, the State Department stated that it "views the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism as integral to the fight to eliminate this scourge."
The rabbis believe that implementing the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's working definition of antisemitism will not stifle criticism of Israel.
Ronald Lauder's plea comes one day after a coalition of major US and global Jewish organizations wrote to UN leaders on Wednesday.
Eighty years after the Holocaust, Jewish communities are facing threat levels unprecedented in the post-World War II era.
Of the 719 incidents, there were 14 physical assaults, 21 threats, 122 incidents of damage and desecration, 140 literature/mass mailings and 422 incidents of abusive behavior.
The IHRA definition of antisemitism was adopted already in 2017. The additional sections relate to the alliance’s decision on “Holocaust denial and distortion” and anti-Roma discrimination.
Democrat Esther Panitch, the only Jewish American representative in the state house, submitted and presented the bill with the support of several other members including Republicans.
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