Zohran Mamdani Reverses Policies on Antisemitism and Israel Boycotts as New York City Mayor
On January 2, 2026, Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as the new mayor of New York City, immediately reversing several policies set by outgoing Mayor Eric Adams. Among Mamdani's first actions was scrapping Adams's adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism. He also lifted restrictions on boycotting Israel, aligning with his support for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement.
Mamdani issued a directive to rescind executive orders enacted during Adams's administration following Adams's 2024 federal corruption indictment—which was later dropped—to offer his administration a fresh start. One rescinded order had barred pension system officials from actions aligned with BDS; Mamdani has advocated for divestment from Israeli government bonds. Another order that directed the New York Police Department to evaluate protest restrictions near houses of worship was also dropped.
Israel's foreign ministry condemned Mamdani's early moves, claiming they amounted to antisemitism on his first day in office. Despite this, Mamdani confirmed he would keep the Office to Combat Antisemitism open but did not commit to adopting the IHRA definition. In his inaugural remarks, Mamdani sought to reassure Jewish New Yorkers; he is Muslim and was sworn in on the Qur'an by Senator Bernie Sanders, with Jewish leaders attending despite not endorsing him.
Jewish organizations criticized Mamdani's decisions. Leaders such as William Daroff described the steps as a troubling signal regarding the city's direction amid rising antisemitism.
