Full Breakdown
No More Excuses Rally Presses World Leaders to Adopt Stronger Antisemitism Measures
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On Wednesday evening, the UJA-Federation of New York, the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York (JCRC-NY) and additional partners staged the “No More Excuses Rally” outside the United Nations General Assembly. Speakers—including Rabbi Yossi Levine of The Jewish Center, Darius Jones, president of the National Black Empowerment Council, and survivors Arsen Ostrovosky, Shalev Biton and Bedouin rescuer Younes Alkarnawi—called on global leaders to confront a rising wave of antisemitism. Attendees displayed signs reading “Enough is enough,” “The world must act,” and “Stop antisemitism now.”
Background & Context
Organizers framed antisemitism as the oldest form of hate, noting that contemporary criticism of Israel can morph into collective blame that revives historic prejudice. The rally deliberately avoided taking a position on the Israel-Hamas war, focusing instead on broader hate-speech dynamics and the misuse of the term “Zionist.”
Key Figures & Groups
- Hindy Poupko – Executive Vice President, UJA-Federation of New York; outlined an action plan for adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism.
- Rabbi Yossi Levine – Rabbi, The Jewish Center; warned that antisemitism “poisons everything it touches.”
- Darius Jones – President, National Black Empowerment Council; linked false narratives about Israel to ancient hatred.
- Frieda Hershman Huberman – Speaker; emphasized that Zionism is intrinsic to Jewish culture and that support for Israel can be separate from support for any individual Israeli leader.
- Bernie Sanders – U.S. Senator from Vermont; in a separate address, condemned what he called “genocide” in Gaza and urged an end to U.S. military aid to the Netanyahu government.
- Bruce Blakeman – Nassau County Executive and Republican candidate for New York governor; highlighted combating antisemitism and defending Israel as central to his campaign.
Data & Statistics
- A Siena Research Institute poll released the same day found 56 % of Jewish New York voters would support Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul, while 41 % would back Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman.
Official Statements & Responses
- Frieda Hershman Huberman clarified that Zionism is a core element of Jewish identity and that one can support Israel without endorsing every policy of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Criticism & Opposition
Senator Bernie Sanders, speaking at Riverside Church, labeled the Israeli government “extremist” and accused it of “genocide” in Gaza, calling for an end to U.S. military aid to the Netanyahu administration. His remarks were met with strong applause, illustrating a divergent view on how antisemitism and Israeli policy intersect.
What’s Next
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is slated to address the United Nations assembly on Thursday, prompting planned mass protests surrounding his speech.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We're asking world leaders to adopt the IRA definition of antisemitism,” — Hindy Poupko, the executive vice president of the UJA-Federation of New York
- “Lies about Israel have become the newest disguise for the oldest hatred. Mind you, criticism of any government is fair, it's legitimate, it's democracy itself,” — Darius Jones, the president of the National Black Empowerment Council