Mamdani revokes BDS, synagogue protest bans in sweeping rollback of Adams orders
The new mayor voided all Adams-era executive orders issued after his federal indictment, including the city's adoption of the IHRA definition of antisemitism, but pledged in his inaugural address to keep the Office to Combat Antisemitism open
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The new mayor voided all Adams-era executive orders issued after his federal indictment, including the city's adoption of the IHRA definition of antisemitism, but pledged in his inaugural address to keep the Office to Combat Antisemitism open
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and his wife Rama Duwaji wave onstage during his inauguration ceremony in New York City, on Friday. Credit: Kylie Cooper/ REUTERS
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and his wife Rama Duwaji wave onstage during his inauguration ceremony in New York City, on Friday. Credit: Kylie Cooper/ REUTERS
09:26 AM • January 02 2026 IST
On his first day in office, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Thursday has overturned all the executive orders signed by his predecessor, Eric Adams, after September 26, 2024, the date that the outgoing mayor was indicted on five federal charges related to bribery, wire fraud and campaign finance offenses.
Among the canceled orders are the ban on protesting in front of synagogues, the ban on city employees cooperating with the BDS movement and the adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance controversial definition of antisemitism.
Under the IHRA definition of antisemitism, claims that "the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor" deny the "Jewish people their right to self-determination." The IHRA definition is often criticized for conflating with antisemitism.
