San Diego council adopts IHRA working definition of antisemitism after hours of public comment

San Diego City Council on Tuesday adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism, voting 8–1 after a marathon public‑comment period that lasted more than three hours.

The resolution, introduced by Councilmember Stephen Whitburn, calls the IHRA wording an educational, nonbinding framework to help city staff, schools, and law enforcement recognize antisemitic incidents. Whitburn told the council the tool does not curb free expression and is meant to help identify when rhetoric and conduct cross the line into targeted hatred.

“Nothing in this resolution is intended to nor shall it be construed to limit or infringe upon rights protected by the United States Constitution or the California Constitution, including the right to free speech and expression,” Whitburn said in his opening remarks. He urged the council to adopt the definition to give local institutions a consistent way to identify antisemitic speech and conduct.

Opponents of the resolution told the council they feared the IHRA examples, several of which reference Israel and Zionism, could be used to chill protected political speech or to label criticism of Israeli government policy as antisemitic. Several speakers called for alternative or revised frameworks and for additional review by scholars, civil‑liberties groups and diverse Jewish voices. “This definition has been weaponized in other jurisdictions,” one opponent said during public comment.

Councilmember Elo Rivera cast the lone no vote, saying he supported naming and condemning antisemitism but could not back the IHRA examples as drafted because he worried they could be misapplied. Councilmember Jennifer Campbell, who seconded the motion, said the resolution is nonbinding and will not criminalize speech. Several members who supported the measure said it simply names a problem and enables clearer training, reporting and prevention steps.

The motion, as adopted, also requested that the Human Relations Commission take up complementary work to ensure other forms of hate — including Islamophobia, anti‑Black racism, anti‑Asian hate and anti‑LGBTQ bias — are equally addressed and defined, and to broaden community engagement and training. The council asked the Human Relations Commission and city staff to report back on implementation, training for schools and law enforcement, and follow‑up steps.

The vote followed emotional testimony from dozens of community members — Jewish residents who described threats, vandalism and fear at religious gatherings, and other San Diegans who warned the definition could be misused to penalize criticism of Israel. City leaders uniformly said antisemitism is rising and must be confronted, while acknowledging the importance of protecting constitutional free‑speech rights.

The council’s passage directs city departments to use the IHRA wording as an educational tool while the Human Relations Commission pursues additional, broader anti‑hate work and public education. Council members said they will monitor how the definition is applied and expect city staff to return with implementation steps for training and guidance.