New York City’s new mayor, Zohran Mamdani, dropped a bombshell on his first day in office by scrapping key policies that supported Israel and protected Jewish communities, the Washington Examiner reported. 

On his inaugural day, Mamdani nullified all executive orders issued by former Mayor Eric Adams following Adams’s indictment on corruption charges in September 2024, including measures banning businesses from joining the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel and adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism.

For Jewish New Yorkers, this move isn’t just symbolic—it’s a direct hit, potentially increasing legal exposure for community institutions already facing rising hostility and discrimination. Taxpayers, too, may bear the burden if city resources are diverted to handle fallout from heightened tensions or lawsuits over unprotected rights. From a conservative standpoint, this rollback demands scrutiny, as it risks unraveling hard-won safeguards without clear justification.

Mamdani’s First Moves Spark Immediate Controversy

Among the repealed orders was a December 2025 directive that prohibited businesses from participating in the BDS campaign, a movement aimed at pressuring Israel through economic means.

Another order, signed in June 2025, had officially recognized the IHRA definition of antisemitism, which identifies certain criticisms of Israel—like labeling it a racist endeavor or comparing its policies to Nazi actions—as antisemitic.

This definition, meant to provide clarity in addressing hatred toward Jews, was a cornerstone for many in the fight against bias, making its abrupt dismissal a bitter pill for communities seeking protection.

Deleted Posts Add Fuel to the Fire

Shortly after midnight on Thursday, January 2, 2026, Mamdani took control of the official NYC Mayor X account and promptly deleted posts highlighting Adams’s efforts to combat antisemitism.

This digital purge didn’t just erase words—it erased a public commitment to safeguarding Jewish New Yorkers, sending a message that many see as dismissive at best. From a right-of-center view, it’s hard to see this as anything but a deliberate snub to a vulnerable group.

The backlash was swift, with Jewish advocacy groups, the Israeli government, and even Adams himself condemning the actions as reckless and divisive.

Voices of Outrage Speak Loudly

Israel’s Foreign Ministry didn’t hold back, posting on X, “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.”

They added, “This isn’t leadership. It’s antisemitic gasoline on an open fire.” From a conservative lens, this critique rings true—abandoning these policies at a time of global tension feels like playing with matches near a powder keg.

Eric Adams also chimed in on X, stating, “.@NYCMayor promised a New Era and unity today. This isn’t new. And it isn’t unity.” For those of us skeptical of progressive overreach, Adams’s words underscore a missed chance for Mamdani to bridge divides rather than widen them.

Political Context and Campaign Flashpoints

The issue of Israel and antisemitism was a lightning rod during the 2025 mayoral race, with Mamdani’s critical stance on Israel drawing sharp rebukes from rivals like Adams and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Despite the criticism, Mamdani secured a landslide victory in November 2025, showing that his views resonated with a significant portion of voters—though clearly not with everyone. A populist perspective demands we keep asking: at what cost does this mandate come to those who feel sidelined?