On Thursday afternoon, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani exercised his executive powers to revoke several controversial directives instituted by his predecessor, former Mayor Eric Adams. These orders came under scrutiny after Adams was federally indicted, leading to Mamdani's significant policy shift. Among the revoked directives was a controversial expansion of the definition of antisemitism and another that prohibited city employees and agencies from boycotting or divesting from Israel.
Mamdani signed the orders just hours following his inaugural ceremony at City Hall. He rescinded directives that were signed by Adams after September 26, 2024—the date of Adams' indictment. In a statement to reporters, Mamdani remarked, “That was a date that marked a moment when many New Yorkers decided politics held nothing for them.” Former Mayor Adams has denied any wrongdoing, and attempts by the Trump administration to dismiss the charges against him were ultimately successful after a judge's ruling.
In addition to revoking Adams' orders, Mamdani also introduced new executive orders focused on housing development, a key issue during his campaign. The new orders mandate an analysis of how to expedite housing development processes and require the administration to create an inventory of city-owned land suitable for housing construction. This report is expected to be submitted by the summer, indicating Mamdani's commitment to addressing the ongoing housing crisis in New York City.
The executive actions taken by Adams in the waning days of his administration were perceived by Mamdani's supporters and several lawmakers as attempts to undermine Mamdani’s agenda. These actions also served to highlight Adams' support for Israel, contrasting sharply with Mamdani's vocal criticisms of the Israeli government. The newly elected mayor, a democratic socialist, has faced scrutiny from some Jewish leaders since his rapid rise in politics began last year.
One of the key orders revoked by Mamdani blocked city agencies from divesting from Israel, while another expanded the definition of antisemitism to align with the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition, which some critics argue conflates legitimate criticism of Israel with antisemitism. During a press conference, Mamdani defended his actions, stating that some Jewish organizations in the city share his concerns about the broadened definition.
The swift changes made by Mamdani have raised alarms among some Jewish leaders. Israel's Foreign Ministry accused him of exacerbating antisemitism, while various Jewish organizations, including the UJA Federation of New York and the New York Board of Rabbis, released a joint statement expressing disappointment. They criticized Mamdani's order as a reversal of “significant protections against antisemitism.” The statement emphasized the community's need for sustained leadership to confront antisemitism effectively.
On the other hand, the New York Civil Liberties Union Executive Director, Donna Lieberman, expressed support for Mamdani’s actions. She argued that Adams' previous executive orders adopted a flawed and overly broad definition of antisemitism and restricted city agencies from boycotting Israel. Lieberman also supported Mamdani's reversal of another Adams-era executive order that permitted federal immigration authorities access to the city's Rikers Island jail complex, labeling it a violation of New York City’s sanctuary laws.
As the mayor, Mamdani has significant powers that can reshape the city's policies and governance. While some of his orders may appear symbolic, they can have profound implications for municipal agencies and enforcement actions. Mamdani has stated his belief in Israel's right to exist, while advocating that the Israeli government should not prioritize Jewish citizens over others. He is also a supporter of the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement, a global initiative advocating for Palestinian human rights through nonviolent pressure on Israel. However, supporters and critics alike debate the implications of the BDS movement, with many viewing it as antisemitic.
Although Mamdani has rescinded several of Adams' directives on antisemitism, he has chosen to maintain the city’s Office to Combat Antisemitism, created under Adams last May, while reorganizing its structure to align with his administration’s goals. This approach indicates Mamdani's intention to balance the need for community protections while addressing broader social justice issues.
This story has been updated with additional information as it develops.