Israel and other critics have condemned New York City’s new mayor, Zohran Mamdani, for revoking several executive orders issued by former mayor Eric Adams that shielded the city’s Jewish community from antisemitism and barred city officials from participating in boycotts against Israel.
One of the orders Mamdani repealed an executive order that adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism, which includes “demonizing Israel and holding it to double standards as forms of contemporary antisemitism," according to Adam's administration.
This definition is considered by Jewish leaders to be the standard in combating antisemitism.
“On his very first day as New York City Mayor Mamdani shows his true face: He scraps the IHRA definition of antisemitism and lifts restrictions on boycotting Israel,” Israel’s Foreign Ministry wrote in an X post. “This isn’t leadership. It’s antisemitic gasoline on an open fire.”
On his very first day as @NYCMayor, Mamdani shows his true face: He scraps the IHRA definition of antisemitism and lifts restrictions on boycotting Israel.
— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) January 2, 2026
This isn’t leadership. It’s antisemitic gasoline on an open fire.
Another order that was repealed ensured that city officials on the taxpayers' dime were unable to boycott or divest from Israel.
Yet another order, which Mamdani rescinded, had required the NYPD to step up security around synagogues to protect attendees from harassment, including creating designated no-protest zones around these sites.
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“We need to enforce federal law that’s already in place here because the pro-Hamas antisemites emboldened by @NYCMayor are coming!” Brooklyn Republican Councilwoman Inna Vernikov posted on X.
Mamdani @NYCMayor also just SCRATCHED Executive Order 61, which established zones in which protests close to the entrance of HOUSES OF WORSHIP would be prohibited/regulated. The EO also added additional restrictions on protest activities during publicly scheduled religious…
— Councilwoman Inna Vernikov (@InnaVernikov) January 2, 2026
“Mamdani @NYCMayor just UNDID previous executive order which adopted the IHRA definition of antisemitism,” she wrote in a separate post. “IHRA protects from discrimination Jews who believe in self determination and provides clarity on the definition.”
Mamdani @NYCMayor just UNDID previous executive order which adopted the IHRA definition of antisemitism. IHRA protects from discrimination Jews who believe in self determination and provides clarity on the definition. @GovKathyHochul knew all along that Mamdani was going to… pic.twitter.com/548pXZ8Ydu
— Councilwoman Inna Vernikov (@InnaVernikov) January 1, 2026
In yet another post, she wrote:
The IHRA definition of Antisemitism is recognized GLOBALLY by over 40 countries, including the European Union, Canada, Australia, the UK, and Germany. Numerous states in the U.S., including New York State, major Jewish organizations and many college campuses. Good enough for GERMANY, but NOT good enough for Mamdani @NYCMayor.
The IHRA definition of Antisemitism is recognized GLOBALLY by over 40 countries, including the European Union, Canada, Australia, the UK, and Germany. Numerous states in the U.S., including New York State, major Jewish organizations and many college campuses. Good enough for…
— Councilwoman Inna Vernikov (@InnaVernikov) January 2, 2026
Editor’s Note: Zohran Mamdani, an avowed Democratic Socialist, will be the next mayor of New York City.
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