New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani used his executive powers to revoke a handful of orders put into place by his predecessor after the previous mayor was federally indicted, together with a directive that expanded the definition of antisemitism and one other that barred metropolis workers and businesses from boycotting or divesting from Israel.
Mamdani signed the orders on Thursday afternoon, simply hours after his inaugural ceremony at City Hall. As a part of the transfer, he rescinded directives signed by the previous mayor, Eric Adams, after September 26, 2024 – the date Adams was indicted.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Mamdani stated “that was a date that marked a moment when many New Yorkers decided politics held nothing for them.”
Adams has denied any wrongdoing, and the Trump administration later sought to drop these fees towards Adams, which have been finally dismissed by a judge.
Mamdani additionally signed extra executive orders Thursday regarding housing – an issue that he focused on closely throughout his marketing campaign.
The orders require the administration to do an evaluation of how housing growth may be sped up and to create a listing of city-owned land the place housing may be constructed and submit the report by the summer season.
Adams’ executive orders, in the meantime, issued in the closing days of his time period, have been seen by Mamdani supporters and a few lawmakers as an effort to undercut Mamdani’s agenda.
It was additionally an opportunity for Adams to tout his help for Israel in distinction to Mamdani, who’s a fierce critic of the Israeli authorities. The 34-year-old democratic socialist had been eyed with concern by many Jewish leaders since his meteoric political rise started final 12 months.
One of the revoked orders blocked all metropolis businesses from divesting from Israel and the opposite expanded the definition of antisemitism to match the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition, which classifies some criticism of Israel as antisemitic.
The transfer by Mamdani so early in his new administration raised concern and criticism from some Jewish leaders. In a social media publish, Israel’s Foreign Ministry accused Mamdani of fueling antisemitism.
“On his very first day as @NYCMayor, Mamdani shows his true face: He scraps the IHRA definition of antisemitism and lifts restrictions on boycotting Israel. This isn’t leadership. It’s antisemitic gasoline on an open fire,” the ministry posted on X.
As mayor, New York City’s chief executive has huge powers at their disposal. While some orders may be seen as considerably symbolic, they will even have a extra sweeping impression via the outright implementation of coverage, the reorganization of municipal businesses and enforcement motion that native authorities should take.
Mamdani has stated he believes in Israel’s proper to exist however that the Israeli authorities shouldn’t give preferential therapy to Jewish folks, saying it ought to assure equal rights for all residents. He can be a supporter of the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) motion – a world marketing campaign calling for utilizing nonviolent techniques in help of Palestinian human rights. While supporters imagine the motion places strain on Israel, critics argue it’s antisemitic.
Mamdani didn’t completely undo all of Adams’ orders centered on antisemitism. The metropolis’s Office to Combat Antisemitism, created underneath Adams in May of final 12 months, will stay in place, however Mamdani is reorganizing its construction, a typical transfer for brand new administrations.