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Israel’s government on Friday accused newly sworn-in New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani of antisemitism after he revoked all of former Mayor Eric Adams’ executive orders issued since Adams’ 2024 indictment — including two measures explicitly supportive of Israel.
Among the rescinded orders were Adams’ adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism and a city policy barring officials from participating in boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) efforts targeting Israel.
“On his very first day as mayor, Mamdani shows his true face: He scraps the IHRA definition of antisemitism and lifts restrictions on boycotting Israel,” Israel’s Foreign Ministry wrote on X. “This isn’t leadership. It’s antisemitic gasoline on an open fire.”
The ministry’s rebuke followed widespread criticism from Jewish groups and New York Republicans who argued Mamdani’s actions would weaken protections for the city’s Jewish residents.
The IHRA definition, used by the U.S. State Department since 2010, characterizes antisemitism as “a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews,” including the “demonization or application of double standards to Israel.” According to the Anti-Defamation League, more than 1,000 institutions worldwide have adopted the standard, describing it as the international consensus.
Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist and the first Muslim to serve as New York City mayor, defended his decision as part of a broader effort to give his administration “a clean slate” following the Adams scandal.
“What we did was sign an executive order that continued every executive order that predated the moment when our former mayor was indicted,” Mamdani said Friday. “That was a moment when many New Yorkers lost faith in city government’s ability to prioritize the needs of the public, as opposed to the needs of the person.”
Pressed by reporters about the backlash from Israel and Jewish advocacy groups, Mamdani insisted he would continue to combat antisemitism, but argued that the IHRA framework had drawn criticism even within the Jewish community.
“I know that a number of leading Jewish organizations have immense concerns around this definition,” Mamdani said. “We will deliver on our commitment to protect Jewish New Yorkers in a manner that is able to actually fulfill that.”
He added that his administration “will be relentless in its efforts to combat hate and division,” pledging to “fight the scourge of antisemitism by funding hate-crime prevention, celebrating our neighbors, and practicing a politics of universality.”
Supporters of Mamdani, including Jewish Voice for Peace, defended the rollback, saying the IHRA’s language has been used to silence critics of Israeli government policy. But mainstream Jewish groups, led by the ADL and the American Jewish Committee, called the move “deeply irresponsible,” warning it would embolden antisemitic behavior at a time of heightened tension in the city.
Republican leaders also blasted the new mayor. “This is what happens when radical activists take over City Hall,” said Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.). “He’s siding with anti-Israel extremists over the safety of Jewish New Yorkers.”
Mamdani, 33, was sworn in shortly after midnight Thursday and moved swiftly to undo Adams’ post-indictment directives. His first executive order declared: “All Executive Orders issued on or after September 26, 2024, and in effect on December 31, 2025, are hereby revoked.”
The former mayor had been indicted for allegedly accepting illegal donations from Turkish sources to facilitate construction of a new Turkish consulate. The Justice Department ultimately dropped the case earlier this year, but the episode damaged Adams’ political standing and set the stage for Mamdani’s populist victory.
Mamdani also signed three housing-related orders on Thursday, establishing task forces to accelerate affordable development and address the city’s worsening housing crisis. But his rescission of the Israel-related directives quickly overshadowed his domestic agenda and triggered international diplomatic blowback before his first full day in office had ended.
By Friday evening, Mamdani’s office was facing calls from both state lawmakers and foreign officials to reinstate the IHRA definition. The new mayor remained defiant, saying his actions reflected “a city government grounded in inclusion, not intimidation.”
