New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has taken multiple executive actions in his first days in office, including revoking nine orders issued by his predecessor, Eric Adams, and declining to attend the annual Israel Day parade. The moves have drawn varied reactions from community leaders and international officials.
Executive Actions
On his first day in office, Mayor Mamdani revoked nine executive orders previously signed by former Mayor Eric Adams. According to the mayor's administration, the revocation applies to orders issued by Adams after September 26, 2024, the date of Adams' federal indictment. Former Mayor Adams has denied any wrongdoing, and federal charges against him were subsequently dismissed.
Specific Revoked Orders
Among the revoked directives were:
- An order expanding the definition of antisemitism to align with the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition, which classifies certain criticisms of Israel as antisemitic.
- An order barring all city agencies from divesting from Israel.
- An order permitting federal immigration authorities access to the Rikers Island jail complex.
New Directives Issued
Mayor Mamdani also issued new executive orders addressing housing, mandating an analysis of methods to accelerate housing development and the creation of an inventory of city-owned land suitable for housing construction, with a report due by summer.
The mayor chose to retain the city's Office to Combat Antisemitism, established under former Mayor Adams, but stated his intention to reorganize its structure.
Parade Attendance Decision
Mayor Mamdani did not attend the annual Israel Day parade on June 1, 2025, breaking with the tradition of mayors attending the event. On June 5, the mayor stated he had previously announced his intention not to attend and reiterated criticism of the Israeli government. He committed to providing a police presence to ensure the event proceeded peacefully.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, who is Jewish, attended the parade. She stated that the mayor's decision was his own and that she chose to march.
Reactions to the Mayor's Actions
Regarding Revoked Orders
Israel's Foreign Ministry accused Mamdani of fueling antisemitism.
A joint statement from the UJA Federation of New York and the New York Board of Rabbis criticized the order reversing "significant protections against antisemitism." Their statement noted: "While we welcome Mayor Mamdani’s Executive Order seeking to better protect houses of worship, and his continuation of Mayor’s Office of Combating Antisemitism, our community will be looking for clear and sustained leadership that demonstrates a serious commitment to confronting antisemitism."
New York Civil Liberties Union Executive Director Donna Lieberman supported the decision, stating that Adams' executive orders "adopted a flawed and far too broad definition of antisemitism" and prohibited city agencies from boycotting Israel. She also supported the reversal of the order allowing immigration authorities access to Rikers Island, stating the prior order "violated New York City’s sanctuary laws, served no legitimate public safety purpose, and was a gift to the Trump administration’s cruel deportation agenda."
Regarding Parade Absence
Rabbi Marc Schneier called the mayor's decision not to attend the parade a "slap in the face to all Jewish New Yorkers" and criticized a video released by the mayor's office commemorating the Nakba, describing it as propaganda.
A delegation from Israel's government, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, attended the parade. The visit followed the International Criminal Court's consideration of an arrest warrant for Smotrich.
Mayor Mamdani's Stated Positions
Mayor Mamdani, the city's first Muslim mayor, has stated he believes Israel has a right to exist but not as a hierarchy favoring Jewish citizens. He supports the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement, which advocates for nonviolent tactics in support of Palestinian human rights. Proponents view the BDS movement as a means to pressure Israel, while critics consider it antisemitic.
The mayor has pledged to protect Jewish New Yorkers and highlighted the work of the Office to Combat Antisemitism.
Mayoral Powers
As the chief executive of New York City, the mayor possesses extensive executive powers, ranging from symbolic directives to the direct implementation of policy, reorganization of municipal agencies, and enforcement actions.