Simply hours after an inauguration the place he known as for unity amongst New Yorkers, Mayor Zohran Mamdani took government motion by repealing orders that former Mayor Eric Adams signed associated to Israel and antisemitism.
That solely rekindled anxiousness and distrust amongst many Jewish New Yorkers already involved that the brand new mayor, whose help of pro-Palestinian causes and former refusal to acknowledge Israel as a Jewish state, would shield them in a time of heightened antisemitism throughout the town and world.
Mamdani signed an government order on Jan. 1 that repealed each government order former Mayor Adams signed between Sept. 26, 2024 — the date Adams was indicted on federal marketing campaign fraud fees that have been later dropped — and Dec. 31, 2025. Amongst these revoked orders have been a ban on metropolis officers boycotting, divesting or sanctioning Israel (one thing which Mamdani had beforehand supported), instructions for the NYPD to look at methods to maintain protesters away from homes of worship (issued weeks after an Higher East Aspect synagogue demonstration), and the town’s adoption of the Worldwide Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, which some have stated can deal with criticism of the Israeli authorities’s actions as antisemitic.
On the similar time, Mamdani indicated he protected different orders that former Mayor Adams had signed previous to Sept. 26, 2024 — together with one which continues the Mayor’s Workplace to Fight Antisemitism.
Mamdani has stated he would have zero tolerance for antisemitism and would work to guard all New Yorkers — a promise he repeated when pressed at a Brooklyn press convention Friday concerning the repeal of the opposite Adams’ orders.
The brand new mayor stated the manager order was supposed to present his administration a “clean slate” whereas reaffirming a dedication to fight hate, together with antisemitism, via funding hate crime prevention, neighborhood engagement and what he described as a “politics of universality.”
However that didn’t quell the brand new spherical of concern amongst Jewish neighborhood leaders and advocates already skeptical of Mamdani’s promise to guard Jewish New Yorkers in a metropolis that has skilled a troubling spike in antisemitism since Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist assaults on Israel.
Is Mamdani ‘singling out Israel’?
Professional Palestinian protesters rally outdoors of a synagogue, to protest a corporation that promotes Aliyah to Israel, as counter protesters collect in opposition.Photograph by Yoav Ginsburg/ZUMA Press Wire
A joint assertion by the UJA-Federation, JCRC-NY, AJC New York, ADL New York/New Jersey, Agudath Israel of America, the New York Board of Rabbis and the Orthodox Union criticized Mayor Mamdani, whereas praising some actions.
“Our community will be looking for clear and sustained leadership that demonstrates a serious commitment to confronting antisemitism,” they stated. “And ensures that the powers of the mayor’s office are used to promote safety and unity, not to advance divisive efforts such as BDS.”
They supported his “seeking to better protect houses of worship” and persevering with the Mayor’s Workplace of Combatting Antisemitism, created by then Mayor Eric Adams.
Additionally they stated Mayor Mamdani “reversed two significant protections against antisemitism,” the town’s adoption of the IHRA definition of terrorism and protections towards metropolis authorities boycotts of Israel.
“Singling out Israel for sanctions is not the way to make Jewish New Yorkers feel included and safe,” they stated. “And will undermine any words to that effect.”
Ravi Avi Weiss, founding rabbi of the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, and founding father of the Yeshivat Chovevei Torah and Yeshivat Maharat Rabbinical Faculties, and a contingent protested close to the inauguration.
“At the very moment Mayor Mamdani was publicly inaugurated, our message was unmistakably clear,” Ravi Avi Weiss stated on X. “As you seek to undermine Israel as a Jewish state, our voices of moral conscience, of Jewish conscience, will continue to be peacefully raised wherever you go.”
William Daroff, CEO of the Convention of Presidents of Main Jewish Organizations, who opposed Mamdani within the election, cited “a troubling indicator of the direction in which he is leading the city, just one day at the helm.”
Israeli representatives stated Mayor Mamdani had taken divisive steps on worldwide points that might result in extra issues within the metropolis.
Ambassador Ofir Akunis, Consul Basic of Israel in New York, stated, “The Mayor of New York said he would be a mayor for everyone, yet he is taking dangerous steps in the exact opposite direction.”
Akunis added to “allow for boycotts against Israel” might immediate antisemitism in New York Metropolis in addition to “pose an immediate threat to the safety of Jewish communities in New York City and could lead to an increase in violent antisemitic attacks throughout the city.”
Mamdani acknowledges the skepticism
Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders swears in Mayor Zohran Mamdani.Photograph by Lloyd Mitchell
Regardless of the criticism, Mamdani’s inauguration ceremony on New 12 months’s Day was attended by many Jewish supporters who contributed to the festivities.
Another Jewish leaders stood with and by Mamdani, together with Rabbi Ellen Lippmann, founding father of the Kolot Chayeinu, on stage in the course of the inauguration.
The brand new mayor stood with main Jewish legislators on the inauguration, together with Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, the democratic socialist who administered the oath of workplace to Mamdani; Rep. Jerold Nadler (who endorsed him); and Sen. Chuck Schumer (who didn’t) on the dais.
And famend actor Mandy Patinkin was a part of the ceremony together with a faculty choir that sang “Over the Rainbow,” with music by Harold Arlen (whose father was a cantor) and lyrics by Yip Harburg, who have been each Jewish.
The brand new mayor additionally sought to have a good time the Jewish neighborhood in his handle, remarking at one level, “Where else could a Muslim kid like me grow up eating bagels and lox every Sunday?”
However he additionally sought to acknowledge the skepticism and avowed that he’ll shield all New Yorkers no matter whether or not they agree.
“I know there are some who view this administration with distrust or disdain, or who see politics as permanently broken,” Mamdani stated in his handle. “And while only action can change minds, I promise you this: if you are a New Yorker, I am your mayor. Regardless of whether we agree, I will protect you, celebrate with you, mourn alongside you, and never, not for a second, hide from you.”
Rabbi Jill Jacobs, CEO of T’ruah who attended the inauguration, struck a hopeful observe, calling for help of the mayor together with vigilance.
“There’s a lot we don’t know about how this mayoral term will play out, but the theme of the day from Mamdani and every other speaker was that this administration is committed to making New York work for all New Yorkers, including those who too often get left behind or ignored,” she stated on Instagram.
Rabbi Jacobs added “those who care about this city need to work with the mayor and comptroller and public advocate and City Council to build the city we want,” including we additionally want “to push and protest when necessary, and to hold them all accountable to making this city safe and affordable for everyone.”
Mamdani has stated he’s conscious of issues amongst some Jewish teams and residents, saying he plans to take motion towards hate crimes, together with these associated to antisemitism.
“My administration will also be marked by a city government that will be relentless in its efforts to combat hate and division, and we will showcase that by fighting hate across the city,” he stated after the inauguration at a Brooklyn occasion. “That includes fighting the scourge of antisemitism by actually funding hate crime prevention, by celebrating our neighbors and by practicing a politics of universality.”
