The fight against antisemitism knows no party. A group of mayors is proving it

In 2021, as town supervisor of New Castle, N.Y., I organized a rally against antisemitism, aiming to unite my community against hate. Despite our efforts to include diverse voices — Muslims, Jews and Christians, both Democrats and Republicans — we still faced resistance from some constituents who feared the rally was “politically motivated.”

The fight against antisemitism, which should be a rallying cry for all, has instead become a partisan issue and, worse yet, a political weapon. This is not just disappointing; it’s dangerous. It weakens our ability to combat hate effectively and divides communities that should stand as one against discrimination.

As an elected official, I often heard directly from families too afraid to celebrate Jewish holidays publicly or display Jewish symbols openly, as well as students who faced abusive antisemitic slurs and intimidation in school hallways.

Last fall, I attended the North American Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism hosted by the Combat Antisemitism Movement, where mayors across the political spectrum gathered with one common goal: to share experiences and best practices and discuss grassroot strategies to secure and nurture Jewish life in our communities. It is a mission which had become only more urgent in the aftermath of the Oct. 7 attack in Israel and the worldwide surge of Jew-hatred it triggered.

At the summit, we explored practical and effective solutions, such as the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism, a globally-recognized framework to help identify antisemitic incidents objectively. When I returned home, I successfully advocated for my local school district to adopt the IHRA definition, offering educators a vital tool to recognize and address all manifestations of contemporary antisemitism proliferating in schools.

When my term as town supervisor of New Castle concluded at the end of 2023, I knew my work in the collective effort against antisemitism was just beginning. I have led several delegations to Israel, including bringing mayors from across the United States with diverse backgrounds to experience firsthand the complexity of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and be taught how to combat misinformation about the Jewish state and people.

After one recent trip, Mayor Rusty Paul from Sandy Springs, Ga., advocated to bring the “Anne Frank and the World” exhibit to his city so students could learn about the impact of unchecked hate and antisemitism.

Mayor Michael Pagan from Teaneck, N.J., reacted to a viciously-worded threat and a demonstration against Jews in his town by penning a powerful letter. While he acknowledged the protesters’ rights to free speech, he described some of what he’d seen in Israel, and ended by saying, “As the mayor of this town, I stand for the truth and with those who fight for it. Which is why I stand with Israel.”

In Sunny Isles Beach, Fla., the city commission, led by Mayor Larisa Svechin, passed a resolution to rescind municipal scholarships to students who engage in antisemitic activities or publicly endorse Hamas or the BDS movement, values to which Sunny Isles Beach does not subscribe.

Based on my own experiences as a municipal leader, I know that mayors have a unique ability to confront and counter antisemitism where it is most acutely felt on a daily basis – on the streets and in the public institutions of the communities where they live. This can be done through well-crafted initiatives in the realms of law enforcement, education and community cohesion.

Grassroots efforts bring people together across political lines, especially in local communities where mayors are directly accountable to residents. When your neighbors stand united against antisemitism, it’s harder for national partisan rhetoric to take hold.

We must reclaim the fight against antisemitism from divisive political campaigning and return it to where it belongs: in the hearts and actions of every American citizen committed to living in a just and equitable society.

The moment we allow our identity, our safety and our rights as Jews to be tied to a single political party or ideology, we’ve already lost ground in this existential battle.

Our strength lies in standing together, and consistent, principled action is required at every level of society. As citizens, we must demand that our leaders — regardless of party affiliation — take concrete steps to combat all forms of antisemitism.

The right to practice one’s religion freely and without fear is not a partisan issue. It’s a basic human right, and it’s on all of us to defend it. Only through bipartisan cooperation and grassroots action can we hope to create lasting positive social change and build a better future for the Jewish people and all Americans.

Lisa Katz is the chief government affairs officer for the Combat Antisemitism Movement.