New York City Official Reverses Pro-Israel Decrees Amid Palestinian Advocacy

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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has revoked several executive orders implemented by his predecessor, Eric Adams, within hours of taking office. The orders included restrictions on boycotts of Israel and prohibitions on mayoral appointees issuing contracts that discriminate against the State of Israel or its citizens.

Adams had signed the orders less than a month ago, following his charge with bribery on September 26, 2024. Critics had seen the decrees as an attempt to create controversy for Mamdani’s administration.

Mamdani has also revoked a decree adopting a definition of anti-Semitism from the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA). The IHRA definition provides guidelines for identifying and addressing anti-Semitic behavior, but some advocates have criticized it for being overly broad and potentially censoring speech critical of Israel.

The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned Mamdani’s moves, calling them “antisemitic gasoline on an open fire.” Amichai Chikli, Israel’s minister of diaspora affairs, has also criticized the mayor, using language that some have described as Islamophobic.

Palestinian rights supporters have praised Mamdani for revoking the decrees, saying they will help protect the rights of New Yorkers and promote free speech. Nasreen Issa, a member of the Palestine Youth Movement – NYC, said the moves are a positive step towards protecting dissenting voices.

The Israeli government’s response to Mamdani’s actions has been intense, with some accusing the new mayor of being an “Islamist” or having ties to the Muslim Brotherhood. However, there is no evidence to support these claims.

Mamdani’s office has not commented on the allegations made by Chikli and the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Source: Al Jazeera