In a significant pre-emptive move, outgoing New York City Mayor Eric Adams has issued two executive orders aimed at combating antisemitism, just weeks before he is set to hand power to his successor, the vocal Israel critic Zohran Mamdani.
Adams' Executive Orders Target Divestment and Protests
The first order, signed by Mayor Adams at the Center for Jewish History on 22 May 2025, explicitly prohibits city agency heads and staff from adopting any policy that discriminates against the State of Israel, its citizens, or entities associated with it. Crucially, it also bars officials overseeing the city's vast pension system from making investment decisions aligned with the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement.
A second directive orders the New York City Police Commissioner, currently Jessica Tisch, to evaluate proposals for regulating protest activity occurring close to houses of worship. This follows demonstrations last month outside an Upper East Side synagogue, which sparked claims of antisemitism.
"New York City has always been this nation’s melting pot, but, too often, over the last few years, we’ve seen those of Jewish ancestry be singled out and targeted," Adams stated. He asserted the measures aim to "protect New Yorkers’ tax dollars and protect their right to practice their religion without harassment."
A Direct Challenge to Incoming Mayor Mamdani
The orders are widely seen as a direct effort to curb the influence of Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist who will be sworn in as the city's first Muslim mayor on 1 January. Mamdani has been a staunch supporter of the Palestinian cause and has publicly expressed support for the BDS movement, positions that have caused tension within parts of New York's Jewish community.
The financial stakes are substantial. The city's pension investments total more than $250 billion, with approximately $300 million tied up in Israeli bonds and assets, according to the mayor's office. Mamdani has previously criticised the city's investments in Israel-based funds.
The outgoing city comptroller, Brad Lander, had already halted new investment in Israeli bonds, a move that drew accusations of supporting BDS from Mayor Adams. Lander defended the decision as merely ending preferential treatment for Israel, noting the city does not hold other sovereign debt.
Broader Political and International Repercussions
These local actions unfold against a contentious international backdrop. Mamdani has previously pledged to send the NYPD to enforce any arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against foreign leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The ICC stated last year it had reasonable grounds to believe Netanyahu was responsible for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Gaza conflict.
Despite Mamdani's threats, Netanyahu confirmed in a virtual interview with the New York Times' Dealbook forum that he still plans to visit New York City. When asked if he would seek to speak with the incoming mayor, Netanyahu replied, "If he changes his mind and says that we have the right to exist, that’ll be a good opening for a conversation."
Mamdani will have the authority to reverse Adams' executive orders upon taking office, ensuring these issues will remain at the forefront of New York's political debate. The orders have already intensified long-running discussions about where criticism of Israeli government policy ends and antisemitism begins.
Adams left no room for ambiguity regarding his stance. On the social media platform X, he declared, "Executive Order 60 makes it clear: BDS has no place in our city. The movement is antisemitic in nature and discriminatory in practice."
