On His First Day in Office, New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani Revokes Adoption of the IHRA Definition of Antisemitism

“On his very first day in office as @NYCMayor, Mamdani shows his true face: he scraps the IHRA definition of antisemitism and lifts restrictions on boycotts of Israel. This is not leadership. It is antisemitic gasoline on an open fire,” Israel’s foreign ministry said in a post on X.

The reference is to an Adams-era executive order under which the city formally adopted the definition of antisemitism developed by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA). The previous mayoral administration interpreted it to mean that contemporary forms of antisemitism include, among other things, “demonizing Israel and applying double standards to it”.

Israel’s reaction came hours after Mamdani ordered the repeal of all executive orders signed by Adams after he was indicted on federal corruption charges in 2024—charges that were later dropped under circumstances that proved controversial.

Mamdani’s office said the move was intended to ensure a “clean start for the new administration”.

Among the rescinded measures was an order barring city officials overseeing New York’s pension system from making decisions in line with the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement, which Mamdani has previously supported publicly.

Another order required the New York police commissioner—currently Jessica Tisch—to review proposals for regulating protest activity near places of worship. It was adopted after demonstrations outside a synagogue on the Upper East Side, where an event on immigration to Israel was taking place, and which were accompanied by accusations of antisemitism.

“New York has always been the melting pot of this country, but far too often in recent years we have seen people of Jewish origin singled out and made targets,” Adams said last month, stressing that the measures were intended to “protect New Yorkers’ tax dollars and their right to practise their religion without harassment”.

Many viewed these steps as an attempt to constrain Mamdani’s room for manoeuvre after he pledged to govern the city as a democratic socialist and previously said he intended to divest New York’s funds from Israeli government bonds—statements that prompted resistance from parts of the political establishment

At the same time, in a speech on December 1, Mamdani sought to reassure the city’s Jewish community. “Where else could a Muslim kid like me grow up eating bagels with lox?” he said.

Mamdani took the oath of office on the Quran, with the ceremony administered by a New York Jewish senator from Vermont, Bernie Sanders. Jewish religious leaders who had not supported Mamdani during his campaign were also present at the event.

“I know there are those who view this administration with distrust or contempt, or who believe politics is hopelessly broken,” Mamdani said. “And while only actions can change minds, I promise you this: if you are a New Yorker, I am your mayor. Whether we agree or not, I will defend you, celebrate with you, mourn alongside you, and never—not for a second—shy away from dialogue.”

After signing his first package of executive orders, Mamdani said he would retain the recently established office to combat antisemitism. “This is an issue we take very seriously,” he told reporters.

He did not, however, offer similar assurances about preserving the Adams-era measure adopting the IHRA definition of antisemitism, which broadly equates anti-Zionism with antisemitism.

William Daroff, head of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, called the refusal to take that step “an alarming signal about the direction in which he is leading the city, just a day after taking office”.

Speaking to Forward, a publication with a liberal readership, Daroff said the decision “weakens New York’s ability to recognise and confront antisemitism at a time when the number of such incidents continues to rise”.