Israel accuses Mamdani of antisemitism during first full day as NYC mayor

Israel condemned New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Friday morning as antisemitic after he revoked all of former Mayor Eric Adams’ executive orders since his indictment, including two policies that were supportive of Israel.The two policies revoked Thursday were one that prevented city officials from engaging in boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) against Israel, and one that adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry claimed that Mamdani’s decision to revoke the policies was “antisemitic” even though, according to Politico, some Jewish leaders in New York have also criticized the IHRA’s definition of antisemitism.
While Jewish Voices for Peace, a leftwing organization that supported Mamdani for mayor, criticized the IHRA position, most do not. According to the Anti-Defamation League, the IHRA definition has been used by the U.S. State Department since 2010, as well as by “over 1,000 other governments, universities, NGOs, and other key institutions, demonstrating a clear international consensus.”
The ADL quotes that definition: 
“Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”
“On his very first day as [mayor], Mamdani shows his true face: He scraps the IHRA definition of antisemitism and lifts restrictions on boycotting Israel,” the Israeli Foreign Ministry said on X. “This isn’t leadership. It’s antisemitic gasoline on an open fire.”
The Adams administration claimed the IHRA definition of antisemitism identified “demonizing Israel and holding it to double standards as forms of contemporary antisemitism,” according to Politico.
Mamdani defended his recent actions in a press conference Friday, stating that he would stand up to all forms of hate as the city’s new mayor, including antisemitism.  
“My administration will … be marked by a city government that will be relentless in its efforts to combat hate and division, and we will showcase that by fighting hate across the city,” he said. “That includes fighting the scourge of antisemitism by actually funding hate crime prevention, by celebrating our neighbors and by practicing a politics of universality.”
Mamdani, who calls himself a democratic socialist, became the city’s mayor just after midnight on Thursday morning. He has promised to be a mayor for “all New Yorkers,” including those who did not support his campaign in November. 
Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.

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