Leading Jewish groups blast Mamdani’s revocation of antisemitism definition

Leading Jewish groups, including the two main community organizations in New York, blast some of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s first steps as mayor.

Mamdani, after taking office yesterday, revoked city agencies’ use of the IHRA definition of antisemitism, which covers some forms of Israel criticism, and a measure opposing the boycott movement targeting Israel.

Mamdani’s predecessor, Eric Adams, enacted both measures by executive order. Mamdani revoked all of Adams’s executive orders issued after his indictment on corruption charges in September 2024, including the IHRA definition and the BDS order.

The corruption charges were later dismissed amid allegations of shady dealings between Adams and the Justice Department of US President Donald Trump.

“Mayor Mamdani pledged to build an inclusive New York and combat all forms of hate, including antisemitism. But when the new administration hit reset on many of Mayor Adams’ executive orders, it reversed two significant protections against antisemitism: the city’s adoption of IHRA and critical protections against the Boycott Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement against the State of Israel,” the Jewish groups say in a joint statement.

The statement is signed by the UJA-Federation of New York, the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, the Anti-Defamation League’s office covering New York and New Jersey, the American Jewish Committee’s New York office, the New York Board of Rabbis, Agudath Israel of America, and the Orthodox Union.

The groups represent the Jewish mainstream and the Orthodox community.

The statement welcomes a Mamdani executive order to have the police evaluate the handling of protests outside houses of worship, a Mamdani order that mirrors one that Adams issued last month.

The statement also backs Mamdani’s decision to keep the Office to Combat Antisemitism established by Adams.

“Our community will be looking for clear and sustained leadership that demonstrates a serious commitment to confronting antisemitism and ensures that the powers of the mayor’s office are used to promote safety and unity, not to advance divisive efforts such as BDS,” the statement says, referring to the anti-Zionist Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement.