The Department of Justice (DOJ) is investigating New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani due to allegations about unfair treatment toward Jewish residents. CB Cotton, Fox News national correspondent, reports increasing concerns over antisemitism in New York City, emphasizing a DOJ letter demanding clarification.
The Dominican Republic plans to become the latest nation to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, prompted by President Luis Abinader’s directive. The country will join others in Latin America, following calls from Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun, the U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism. Kaploun highlights the Trump administration’s domestic efforts as a model for tackling antisemitism globally.
Abinader announced the decision at an annual forum in Santo Domingo, noting that antisemitism affects more than just Jewish communities. He stated, “Antisemitism is not a problem that concerns only the Jewish people. It is a threat to democratic coexistence and to the rights and freedoms of us all.” His speech coincided with increased global awareness of antisemitism issues, as the Combat Antisemitism Movement’s research reported 767 incidents globally in March 2026, a significant rise compared to the previous year.
Kaploun praised the Dominican Republic’s action as “historic” and urged other Latin American governments to follow suit. He focused on America’s proactive measures: holding universities accountable, prosecuting hate crimes, and revising visa vetting processes. The U.S. State Department has applied the IHRA definition since 2010, which is used by various international member countries since 2016.
The IHRA defines antisemitism as “a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews.” The definition helps identify contemporary antisemitism manifestations for consistent response from governments and institutions.
President Abinader emphasized that rejecting antisemitism does not equate to taking sides on governmental conflicts. The goal is to prevent hatred, discrimination, or violence against any individual or community. He assured that the IHRA definition will provide a framework for addressing antisemitism while respecting protected constitutional rights.
The Dominican Republic renews its commitment to Holocaust memory and Jewish community protection, recalling its historical refuge offering to Jews fleeing Nazi persecution. Abinader pledged 50 million Dominican pesos for a new Jewish Museum building in Sosúa. Once officialized by the Foreign Ministry, the decision will align the country with others in the region that have adopted the IHRA framework.
Abinader concluded by urging regional action against antisemitism, advocating for memory to become education, education to prevent hatred, and principles to drive actionable change.
Kaploun echoed support for the effort, reaffirming U.S. backing for Latin American countries striving for religious liberty and freedom.
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