It did not take long for socialist New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D.) to face renewed accusations of antisemitism.
On day one, Mamdani rescinded pro-Israel executive orders signed by his predecessor Eric Adams, which prevented city officials from pursuing policies of boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) targeting Israel, and he rescinded the official adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s widely used definition of antisemitism. Mamdani also deleted old tweets from the official mayor’s account related to antisemitism and supporting the Jewish people.
His actions prompted the government of Israel to accuse him of fanning the flames of antisemitism shortly after taking office on New Year’s Day.
“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,” Israel’s foreign ministry said in a statement.
It is not the first time Israeli officials have criticized Mamdani because of his activism and rhetoric toward the Jewish state. Upon Mamdani’s election in November, Israel’s deputy foreign minister, Sharren Haskel, said the outcome was “deeply concerning” and reiterated Israel’s desire to work with Jewish leaders to protect the community.
The IHRA definition of antisemitism lists several modern examples, including the belief that Israel does not have the right to exist as a Jewish state. Other examples the IHRA uses include the application of double standards to Israel, accusations of dual loyalty to Israel, holding Jews collectively responsible for Israel’s actions, and comparing Israel’s behavior to Nazi Germany.
Additionally, American Jewish groups voiced concerns about Mamdani removing Adams’s old statements about the city’s actions to tackle antisemitism. Mamdani’s critics have accused him of antisemitism because of his virulently anti-Israel viewpoints and affiliation with antisemitic leftist figures. The 34-year-old socialist is a longtime supporter of the anti-Israel BDS movement, a pro-Palestinian push for the U.S. government and corporations to economically shun Israel.
During the Democratic primary, Mamdani defended the slogan “globalize the intifada,” a call for violence against Jews often featured at pro-Palestinian rallies in New York City and elsewhere.
Mamdani claims his fierce criticism of Israel is grounded in human rights concerns about Gazan civilians. He has promised to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he comes to New York City for alleged violations of international law.
In response to critics, Mamdani has promised to protect the Jewish community amid a spike in antisemitic violence. Mamdani retained well-respected police commissioner Jessica Tisch, herself a Jew, to run the department under his leadership. At his inauguration, Mamdani paid tribute to the Big Apple’s Jewish culture and its impact on his upbringing.
“Where else could a Muslim kid like me grow up eating bagels and lox every Sunday,” Mamdani said to applause from the crowd.
Staying true to his socialist ideology, Mamdani promised he would govern as such rather than giving in to compromise. He also vowed to replace rugged individualism central to the American spirit with the collectivist ideology of communist regimes.
“We will replace the frigidity of rugged individualism with the warmth of collectivism,” Mamdani said.
Mamdani enters Gracie Mansion a national phenomenon because of his easy charisma and knack for going viral. He shockingly won the mayor’s race by combining that personal touch with an affordability agenda rooted in leftist promises of price controls and government handouts.