Mamdani Repeals Pro-Israel Measures Within Hours of Taking Office

Just hours into his new role as mayor of New York City, Zohran Mamdani has drawn sharp criticism after reversing several key pro-Israel policies enacted under his predecessor, Eric Adams. Among the most controversial changes was Mamdani’s decision to revoke the city’s adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism a framework widely supported by Jewish communities worldwide.

The IHRA definition recognizes that denying the Jewish people’s right to self-determination, including the legitimacy of Israel as a Jewish state, constitutes a form of antisemitism. Under Adams, this standard had served as official guidance for schools, city agencies, and law enforcement in confronting antisemitic rhetoric and behavior. Mamdani’s rollback of this definition has been portrayed as a defense of free speech, but critics argue it erodes crucial protections for Jewish New Yorkers.

In addition to rescinding the IHRA definition, Mamdani also voided executive orders that had prohibited city agencies and public pension boards from engaging in anti-Israel boycotts. These policies, once lauded for drawing a clear line against discrimination in public procurement and investment decisions, were aimed at countering efforts like BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions), which targets the State of Israel.

Mamdani, who has previously declined to affirm Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state, framed his sweeping reversals as an ideological return to form. “I was elected as a democratic socialist, and I will govern as a democratic socialist,” he declared. “I will not abandon my principles for fear of being deemed radical.”

While Mamdani has not yet disbanded the city’s Office to Combat Antisemitism, its future remains unclear. The office’s current head, Rabbi Moshe Davis, said he has received no updates about whether the office will maintain its mandate under the new administration. Jewish leaders worry that under Mamdani, the office may be stripped of its ability to respond to antisemitic rhetoric masked as political speech.

Community voices are sounding the alarm. The concern is that what was once viewed as hate speech may now be tolerated under the pretext of political critique effectively giving cover to antisemitism in city institutions and public discourse. For a city home to the largest Jewish population outside Israel, the implications are both symbolic and profoundly practical.

Mamdani’s moves represent a radical departure from the policies that sought to make New York a national leader in combating antisemitism. Supporters may applaud his ideological consistency, but for many across the Jewish community, this is being seen as a step backward a dismantling of the very structures designed to ensure safety, dignity, and equal standing.

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