An Orthodox Jewish Assembly candidate in New Jersey has countered attacks about her support of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, and charges that voting for her is a “vote for repression.”
In a stinging escalation of New Jersey’s debate over antisemitism legislation, a pro-Palestinian website FightBackBetter.com has attacked gubernatorial candidate and Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop’s backing of District 37 Assembly Candidate Tamar Warburg as a “vote for repression.” The site singles out Warburg as a “likely supporter” of pending state legislation adopting the IHRA definition of antisemitism, based on her affiliation with a Jewish organization.
In fact, Warburg previously confirmed her support of the legislation. Together with her running mate Dan Park, Warburg recently published an open letter in The Jewish Link detailing their full-throated endorsement of the IHRA bill.
“I am not a ‘likely’ supporter of the bill, I am an ‘actual’ supporter of the bill,” Warburg stated. “And not only me, but my running mate Dan Park too. If they did their research, they would know that I support this bill and that I’m proud of that.”
The article further suggests that Warburg’s run is a direct challenge to Assemblywoman Shama Haider (D-Tenafly). Haider has notably not joined the vast majority of the Assembly as a co-sponsor of the bill.
In response to the pro-Palestinian site’s claim that voting for Warburg “likely becomes a vote for repression,” Warburg responded with an equally forceful statement, stressing her commitment to safeguarding all residents:
“Dan and I are committed to protecting every constituent in this district from antisemitism and all forms of hatred. That’s why we support this bill, and why we would support any other bill protecting other groups in New Jersey from similar hatred.”
She went on to underscore the historical danger of allowing antisemitic sentiment to spread unchecked:
“History has taught us that antisemitism endangers any society which allows it to fester, so its rise threatens us all and must be confronted. It is unacceptable for elected representatives to sit on the sidelines while residents are targeted. If we are elected, you can be sure we won’t.”
