New York City Mayor Eric Adams Issues Orders Blocking City Boycott of Israel
NEW YORK — New York City Mayor Eric Adams signed two executive orders Wednesday aimed at countering antisemitism and preventing city funds from supporting the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel, officials said. The orders bar city business and pension investment decisions that discriminate against Israel, a move that highlights an ideological clash with Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, who has expressed support for the BDS movement.
Adams issued the orders shortly before leaving office, signaling his administration’s commitment to maintaining a strong relationship between New York City and the state of Israel. Speaking at a conference in New Orleans sponsored by the North American Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism, Adams emphasized the importance of this relationship, according to reports.
One of the executive orders calls for enhanced enforcement by the New York City Police Department to protect synagogues and other religious worshipers from harassment. This measure is part of Adams’ broader effort to address antisemitism in the city.
The new directives set the stage for a potential policy reversal by Mamdani, who takes office on Jan. 1. Mamdani has publicly supported the BDS movement, describing it as a nonviolent means to pressure Israel to comply with international law. In a November interview with MSNBC, Mamdani stated, “I support BDS because this is a movement that is looking for that kind of compliance. We haven’t seen it.”
When asked if BDS would be a policy of his administration, Mamdani replied that he supports nonviolent movements aimed at ensuring compliance with international law and suggested he would seek to reverse policies he views as violations.
Mamdani’s team did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the executive orders. The orders issued by Adams represent a clear ideological contrast between the outgoing mayor and the incoming administration, underscoring differing approaches to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and city policy.
The executive orders come amid ongoing debates in New York City about the role of municipal government in international political issues and the protection of religious communities. Adams’ actions reflect his administration’s stance against the BDS movement and its commitment to combating antisemitism as he prepares to hand over the mayoralty.
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