Mayor revokes predecessor’s antisemitism definition on first day, sparking concern from national Jewish organizations
Incoming New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani ignited immediate controversy on his first day in office by revoking Executive Orders 60 and 61, which had barred city entities from boycotting Israel and established antisemitism protections based on the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition. The action prompted swift condemnation from national Jewish leaders and raised concerns about the direction of Mamdani’s administration on issues affecting the Jewish community.
Understanding the Revoked Executive Orders
Executive Order 60, issued by predecessor Eric Adams, prohibited city entities and personnel from engaging in boycotts or divestment campaigns targeting Israel. The order aimed to prevent municipal resources from funding activities opposing Israeli government policies. Executive Order 61 directed the NYPD to investigate creating protective zones around houses of worship where protest activity would be restricted. Mamdani’s decision to eliminate both orders raised questions about the administration’s approach to free expression versus community security concerns. The mayor cited cleanup of Adams administration corruption as justification, stating he was revoking all executive orders issued since Adams’ September 2024 indictment on corruption charges.
The IHRA Definition Debate
The most contentious element involved the IHRA definition of antisemitism, which Mayor Adams had previously adopted. The definition, established by 34 nations and endorsed by hundreds of universities, provides concrete examples of antisemitism including certain forms of criticism of Israel. William Daroff, CEO of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, told media that removing the definition represented a serious threat to Jewish security. Daroff noted that the IHRA definition provided a commonly accepted framework for identifying antisemitism, essential for enforcement and education efforts.
Jewish Community Response and Concerns
Jewish community organizations expressed alarm about implications for community safety and representation in municipal affairs. Advocates noted that antisemitic incidents had increased nationally and in New York City, particularly following October 2023 events in Israel and Gaza. Removing the definition that provided clarity around antisemitism raised fears that harassment and bias incidents would face inconsistent treatment by city agencies. Some leaders worried the action signaled broader marginalization of Jewish perspectives within Mamdani administration policy discussions.
The Mayor’s Response and Governing Philosophy
Mamdani issued a January 2 press conference statement affirming that protecting Jewish New Yorkers would be a focus of his administration. He emphasized his commitment to ensuring all communities felt safe and represented in city policy. The mayor framed the executive order revocation as establishing a clean slate to pursue his vision for New York rather than targeting specific communities. In his inaugural address, Mamdani declared himself a democratic socialist and stated he would not abandon his principles.
Moving Forward: Rebuilding Trust
The administration faces ongoing work to rebuild confidence within the Jewish community and demonstrate that housing, transportation, and economic justice priorities can coexist with strong protections against antisemitism. Early meetings between administration officials and community leaders will be crucial for developing new approaches to antisemitism that address community concerns without simply reinstating previous orders. For context on IHRA definition and its application, review resources from International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance official site. See Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations policy positions and consult Anti-Defamation League resources on antisemitism.
