Israel accuses Mamdani of antisemitism on first day as New York mayor | Zohran Mamdani
Israel’s foreign ministry accused New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani of “pouring anti-Semitic gasoline on an open fire” after he reversed a recent order by outgoing mayor Eric Adams.
“On his first day in office @NYCMayorMamdani shows his true colors: he jettisons the IHRA definition of antisemitism and lifts restrictions on boycotting Israel. This is not leadership. “This is anti-Semitic gasoline burned on an open fire.” The State Department said in a post about X:
Mamdani rescinded an Adams-era decision that adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism, which the previous administration said involved “demonizing Israel and holding it to double standards as a form of contemporary antisemitism.”
Israel’s response came hours after Mamdani issued an order to rescind all executive orders Adams issued after he is indicted on federal corruption charges in 2024; these charges were later controversially dropped.
Mamdani’s office said the decision was to provide “a fresh start for the incoming administration.”
One of Adams’ canceled orders, including City officials who oversee the municipal pension system are barred from making decisions in line with the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement that Mamdani says he supports.
A. second degree He instructed Jessica Tisch, the New York police commissioner, to consider proposals to regulate protest activity occurring near houses of worship. It comes after protests outside an Upper East Side synagogue hosting an event promoting immigration to Israel sparked allegations of anti-Semitism.
“New York City has always been the melting pot of this country, but over the last few years we have often seen people of Jewish ancestry being singled out and targeted,” Adams said last month, adding that the measures were aimed at “protecting New Yorkers’ tax revenues and protecting their right to practice their religion without harassment.”
The measures were seen as an effort to rein in Mamdani, who has vowed to run the country as a democratic socialist and whose past comments about Israel, including a promise to divest New York from Israeli government bonds, have sparked some opposition.
But in his speech Thursday, Mamdani was careful to reassure New York Jews, saying: “Where else can a Muslim kid like me grow up eating bagels and salmon?”
He was sworn in on the Quran by Vermont senator Bernie Sanders, a Jewish New Yorker. The meeting was also attended by Jewish religious leaders who did not support Mamdani during his campaign.
“I know there are some who view this administration with distrust or disdain, or see politics as permanently corrupted,” Mamdani said. “And only action can change ideas, but I promise you this: If you’re a New Yorker, I’m your mayor. Whether we agree or not, I will protect you, celebrate with you, mourn with you, and never, not for a second, hide from you.”
After issuing his first executive orders, Mamdani said he would keep open the recently created Office to Combat Antisemitism. “This is an issue we take very seriously,” he told reporters.
He gave no similar assurance about the adoption of an Adams-era measure. International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance Definition of antisemitism that codes opposition to Zionism as antisemitic in general.
William Daroff, CEO of the Conference of Presidents of major American Jewish organizations, called the move “a troubling indication of where he has steered the city with just one day at the helm.”
Daroff told liberal leaning Forward He said the move “reduces New York City’s ability to recognize and respond to antisemitism at a time when incidents continue to escalate.”
