NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani Voids Adams Executive Orders — Including Israel/BDS and IHRA
New York City’s newly sworn-in mayor Zohran Mamdani signed a sweeping executive order within hours of taking office that rescinds most executive orders issued by former Mayor Eric Adams after Sept. 26, 2024 — the date Adams was federally indicted.
The move immediately drew attention because it also rolls back several late-term Adams directives related to Israel, BDS, and how the city defines antisemitism, triggering sharp reactions from some pro-Israel and Jewish advocacy groups. Jewish Telegraphic Agency
What Mamdani’s first executive order does
According to reports and the text summarized by multiple outlets, Mamdani’s order nullifies executive orders Adams signed after Sept. 26, 2024, framing it as a “fresh start” after the former mayor’s indictment period.
Mamdani has also signaled that some Adams-era policies may be reissued selectively, including maintaining the city’s Office to Combat Antisemitism, according to reporting on his first-day agenda.
The Israel-related orders caught in the rollback
Among the Adams-era executive actions affected:
- Executive Order 60 (Dec. 2, 2025): Directed city procurement and investment practices to reject participation in boycotts/divestment targeting Israel (often tied to BDS debates)
- Adams’ IHRA definition adoption (June 2025): Adams signed an executive order directing city agencies to use the IHRA working definition of antisemitism, a move praised by some Jewish leaders and criticized by civil-liberties advocates who argue it can chill speech about Israel. The Guardian
- Additional Adams orders tied to protest policies and worship-site protections were also cited by some outlets as being reversed under the same post-indictment rescission sweep.
Important correction vs. viral claims: Some social posts have described the anti-BDS order as “February 2024,” but NYC’s official record shows Executive Order 60 is dated Dec. 2, 2025. New York City Government
Backlash and reaction
William Daroff, CEO of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, criticized the repeal of the IHRA-related order as a troubling signal at a time when antisemitism concerns remain high. The Forward
Other critics argued the rollbacks weaken city guardrails around antisemitism and protest activity, while Mamdani allies have framed the move as part of a broader reset of Adams-era directives issued after the indictment.
What happens next
The practical impact may depend on what Mamdani reissues in revised form. Multiple reports say the new administration is weighing which directives to bring back — potentially with changes — while prioritizing housing and affordability initiatives early in the term. New York Post