The new mayor of New York reopens the door to boycotting Israeli companies over the Gaza war
New York’s new mayor, Zohran Mamdani, has revoked all executive orders issued by his predecessor, Eric Adams, since Adams was indicted for corruption; one in particular that prohibited city businesses from engaging in any form of retaliation, such as boycotts or divestment from Israel, due to the war in Gaza.
Adams was formally indicted for corruption in September 2024. The indictment was dismissed in April of last year, with the caveat that it was dismissed “with prejudice” by the investigating judge amid doubts about interference in the case by the Trump administration, which was very close to the now former mayor.
Mamdani has also revoked another of Adams’ executive orders that essentially equated any criticism of Israel with an act of “antisemitism,” but he has left intact the newly created city office to combat antisemitism, which Adams championed. Adams dedicated his final weeks in office to a trip to Israel, where he declared his absolute loyalty to its authorities.
“This is an issue we take very seriously and it is part of the commitment we have made to New York’s Jewish community: not only to protect them, but also to celebrate and appreciate them,” Mamdani said at a press conference regarding his decision to preserve the office.
During his campaign, the new mayor had to contend with a wave of unfounded accusations that linked him to the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, and the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not overlooked these new decisions.
“On his first day as mayor, Mamdani shows his true colors: he discards the definition of antisemitism and lifts the restrictions on boycotting Israel. This is not leadership. It is pouring antisemitic gasoline on an open fire,” the Ministry stated.
