Mamdani Accused Of Antisemitism After First Actions In Office

Israel ripped into new New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Friday, accusing the far-left, anti-Zionist lawmaker of dumping “antisemitic gasoline on an open fire” after he used his first day in office to scrap city policies backing the Jewish state.

Among Mamdani’s opening moves was the repeal of an executive order signed by former Mayor Eric Adams just last month that barred city officials from boycotting or divesting from Israel. He also axed another Adams-era order adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism, which defined “demonizing Israel and holding it to double standards as forms of contemporary antisemitism.”

The IHRA definition is widely viewed by Jewish leaders as a cornerstone 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 said in a blistering post. “This isn’t leadership. It’s antisemitic gasoline on an open fire.”

Zohran Mamdani also revoked Executive Order 61, issued last month, which directed the NYPD to strengthen protections around synagogues and other religious sites. The order had established buffer zones limiting protests near houses of worship amid rising harassment complaints.

Brooklyn Republican Councilwoman Inna Vernikov slammed the rollbacks, warning they would embolden extremists.

“We need to enforce federal law that’s already in place here because the pro-Hamas antisemites emboldened by @NYCMayor are coming!” Vernikov wrote on X.

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 a separate post, she added, “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.”

Mamdani’s actions drew sharp contrast to his predecessor. Adams repeatedly voiced support for Israel and visited Jerusalem last year, including a stop at the Western Wall.

City Hall said Mamdani’s first executive order revoked all Adams-issued directives dated on or after Sept. 26, 2024,  the day Adams was indicted on federal corruption charges, in an effort to provide “a fresh start for the incoming administration.”

Officials insisted Mamdani plans to reissue executive orders he still supports. For critics at home and abroad, however, his opening salvo has already sent a clear message about where the new mayor stands.

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