Adams strengthens city’s ties to Israel before Mamdani takes office

The move directly challenges Mamdani, who openly supports the BDS campaign.

By World Israel News Staff

With anti-Israel Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani set to take office in just a few weeks, outgoing New York City Mayor Eric Adams has put him squarely to the test, signing two new executive orders that strengthen the city’s support for Israel and restrict any efforts to use public funds to advance the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement.

The first order bars New York City from making business or pension investment decisions that discriminate against Israel. Executive Order 60 directs all city agencies and pension boards to reject procurement or investment actions based on political boycotts of the Jewish state.

The move directly challenges Mamdani, who openly supports the BDS campaign. During a November appearance on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” he said, “I support BDS because this is a movement that is looking for that kind of compliance. We haven’t seen it.”

He has repeatedly accused Israel of “genocide,” urged New Yorkers to oppose funding for Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria, and called for “ending the occupation and dismantling apartheid.” Following the October 7 Hamas massacres, Mamdani lamented “the hundreds of people killed across Israel and Palestine” and condemned Israel’s defensive response as a “declaration of war.”

Adams’ new order forces Mamdani to confront that stance immediately upon entering office, as he will be responsible for either upholding the policy or rescinding it.

“This administration recognizes the benefit of maintaining a strong relationship between the city of New York and the state of Israel,” Adams said at an event hosted by the North American Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism.

He added, “We are proud to sign this executive order and affirm that our investments and contracts should be made on the basis of what is best for New York City and our economic future, and not in pursuit of discriminatory policies on the basis of politics and national origin.”

The second executive order directs the NYPD to tighten enforcement and protection measures for synagogues and other religious institutions, amid a documented rise in antisemitic harassment and intimidation.

Adams has long positioned himself as one of the strongest pro-Israel leaders in American municipal politics. Earlier this year, he signed a landmark order formally adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism.

Speaking at Tribeca Synagogue, he said, “Antisemitism is a vile disease that’s been spreading across our nation and our city. What’s worse, since Hamas’ terror attacks on October 7, 2023, we have seen this hateful rhetoric become normalized on our campuses, in our communities, and online.” He urged the City Council to codify the definition into law and pledged to confront antisemitism “wherever it exists.”

He also stated, after meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following the prime minister’s address at the UN General Assembly, “At a time when much of the world is turning its back on the Jewish State of Israel, the mayor of the largest Jewish community outside of Israel must remain steadfast in our support for Israel, its right to defend itself, eliminate Hamas, and bring every single one of their hostages home.”

The contrast could not be clearer: a departing mayor who has aggressively positioned New York City as a supporter of Israel, and an incoming mayor-elect who has built his political identity around anti-Israel activism and vocal support for BDS.

With these executive orders now in place and a sharply contrasting vision waiting in the wings, Mamdani’s incoming administration will soon face immediate and consequential decisions on how New York City positions itself toward Israel in the months ahead.

BDSEric AdamsNew York CityZohran Mamdani