In his final days in office, New York City Mayor Eric Adams took a definitive stand against antisemitism by signing two executive orders on Wednesday. These measures are designed to prevent city resources from backing the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement.
According to the New York Post, Adams has prohibited city business and pension investments from engaging in discriminatory practices against Israel. This action is seen as a direct counter to Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, who is a known supporter of the BDS movement.
Addressing attendees at the North American Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism in New Orleans, Adams emphasized the importance of maintaining robust ties between New York City and Israel. His comments underscore his administration’s commitment to this relationship, as reported by The Post.
The second executive order focuses on enhancing the New York City Police Department’s enforcement efforts to safeguard synagogues and other religious communities from harassment.
These new directives have sparked a notable ideological rift with Mamdani, who will have the authority to revoke these orders upon assuming office on January 1.
The new orders heighten an ideological clash between Adams and Mamdani, who can decide whether to scrap the orders after taking office on Jan. 1.
Mamdani’s team did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
In an interview on Nov. 4 with MSNBC, Mamdani’s defended his support for the (BDS) movement, saying it was a way to pressure Israel to comply with international law.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced new executive orders Wednesday that could be viewed as a challenge to Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani. (Fox News Digital/Deirdre Heavey)
“And I’ve said, I support BDS because this is a movement that is looking for that kind of compliance. We haven’t seen it,” he said.
“Morning Joe” co-host Willie Geist asked Mamdani, “Would BDS be the policy of your administration as mayor?”
“I’ve said that I would support and have supported non-violent movements to bring about compliance with international law,” Mamdani replied. “And where this mayor [Eric Adams] has violated and looked to violate that kind of law, I would bring us back into compliance.”
New York City Mayoral Candidate Zohran Mamdani (L) and New York City Mayor Eric Adams attend the annual 9/11 Commemoration Ceremony on September 11, 2025 in New York City. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
Mamdani added during the interview that he would be the mayor for all Jewish New Yorkers.
According to The Post, New York City registered over $32 billion in procurement contracts with outside vendors in the 2024 fiscal year, and maintains five pension systems that support over 750,000 employees, retirees and beneficiaries. They also invest nearly $300 billion in securities in the global marketplace, including over $300 million in Israeli assets.
The pair of executive orders came a week after protesters chanted “globalize the intifada” and “death to the IDF” outside a New York City synagogue, according to The Post.
There were reportedly thousands of people at the “Stand with Gaza” protest at Bryant Park in New York on August 16, 2025. (Photo by Leonardo Munoz/AFP via Getty Images)
Adams said his administration was “ensuring our city government doesn’t participate in that type of behavior and are putting in safeguards that protect New Yorkers’ tax dollars and protect their right to practice their religion without harassment.”
Following Wednesday’s conference, the mayor posted on X that he “discussed and shared how we’re governing through the rising tide of hate, fear, and misinformation in our cities so we can better protect ALL communities.”
Adams asserted that “we cannot stand by as antisemitism or any other form of hate spreads.”
“We must loudly defend the Jewish people,” he added.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams barred city business or pension investment decisions that discriminate against Israel, a move that could be viewed as a challenge to Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, who supports BDS movement. (Deirdre Heavey/Fox News Digital)
Adams has previously warned Jewish New Yorkers about their safety after Mamdani won the election, stating during a fireside chat at a Combat Antisemitism Movement event in Tel Aviv last month that “everything is not fine.”
