(San Diego, California – March 17, 2026) — In a resounding 8-1 vote on March 17, the City of San Diego (California) officially adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism, becoming one of the largest cities in the United States to adopt the definition and to take a stand against rising antisemitism.
The Antisemitism Task Force at StandWithUs wholeheartedly thanks Council Member Stephen Whitburn for sponsoring the vote and to Mayor Gloria for his unwavering commitment to fighting antisemitism, and finally, to Council Members Campillo, von Wilpert, Foster, Lee, Campbell, Moreno, and LaCava for voting to adopt the resolution and for their courageous and principled leadership. By embracing the IHRA definition, they have taken a brave, commonsense stand to protect the Jewish community and make clear that hate has no place in their city limits.
The Antisemitism Task Force also extends its deepest gratitude to the San Diego community, which showed up in strength and numbers during public comment. Our community rose. Beyond the numbers, something deeper was revealed: Council Members witnessed first-hand the antisemitism our community faces daily when speakers said, “look at all these well-dressed Jews with money in their pockets,” and another one said, “your Jewish children deserve to be spat on”.
“This is a big win for the Jewish community, which is often marginalized when it comes to hate crimes. Jews are only 2% of the U.S. population, but are targeted by 15% of all hate crimes and nearly 70% of religion-based attacks. The blatant antisemitism we are seeing today needs to be addressed, and by adopting IHRA in San Diego, we are one step closer to having a safer living environment for Jews in greater South California,” added Liat Cohen Reeis, Director of the Antisemitism Task Force, San Diego.
We are thankful to our partners from other local Jewish organizations who helped us rally volunteers, shared our campaigns, and showed up in support: JNF, the Finest Coalition, IAC, ADL, FIDF, PeerK12, Jewish Federation and AJC.
The IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism, already adopted by over 40 countries, over 30 U.S. states, more than 100 cities, and over 1,300 institutions worldwide, functions as a critical tool for helping governments, law enforcement, and other institutions identify and respond to unlawful acts of antisemitism. Importantly, the IHRA Working Definition provides eleven crucial examples, helping demonstrate how antisemitism occurs in both older and newer forms.
The Antisemitism Task Force at StandWithUs remains committed to continuing this work across the region and beyond. Today’s victory in San Diego is a meaningful milestone- and a reminder that when communities unite, we can stand up to hate and build a better, safer future for all.
Importantly, adopting the IHRA definition does not infringe upon First Amendment (free speech) rights. It does not prohibit speech of any kind, but rather makes it easier to identify, educate about, and speak out against antisemitism. No one has the right to be free from criticism for promoting hate.
