Israel’s foreign ministry publicly accused New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani of antisemitism on Friday, escalating tensions with the progressive leader just hours after he formally assumed office. The rebuke comes amid a wave of policy reversals by Mamdani that have drawn criticism both domestically and internationally.
The dispute centers on Mamdani’s revocation of executive orders issued under his predecessor, Mayor Eric Adams, including measures supportive of Israel. Adams’ administration had implemented policies that blocked city officials from pursuing punitive economic actions, such as boycotts, divestment, and sanctions targeting Israel. The administration had also adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, which describes “demonizing Israel and holding it to double standards” as forms of contemporary antisemitism.
“On his very first day as New York City Mayor, Mamdani shows his true face: He scraps the IHRA definition of antisemitism and lifts restrictions on boycotting Israel. This isn’t leadership. It’s antisemitic gasoline on an open fire,” the Israeli foreign ministry said in a post on Friday.
Mamdani, who took office just after midnight on New Year’s Eve, becomes the youngest mayor in the city’s history at 34 and a high-profile figure in the Democratic Party. His election represents a shift toward a more progressive agenda, with promises of universal free childcare, free public transportation, and higher taxes on corporations and wealthy residents to fund these programs. Party leaders hope Mamdani’s tenure will energize the Democratic base ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
The Israeli criticism adds an international dimension to a controversy already unfolding at home. On Thursday, Jewish civil rights groups raised concerns after posts about combating antisemitism were removed from the official @NYCMayor X account shortly after Mamdani assumed office. Advocates warned that the deletions could send a troubling message at a sensitive moment for New York’s Jewish community.
Mamdani has repeatedly denied accusations of antisemitism, emphasizing that his critiques of Israel stem from human rights concerns rather than prejudice against Jewish people. He has vowed to safeguard New York’s Jewish community while maintaining his outspoken positions on Middle East policy.
During his swearing-in ceremony, Mamdani celebrated the city’s diversity, quipping, “Where else could a Muslim kid like me grow up eating bagels and lox every Sunday?” Nevertheless, Mamdani supports bond disinvestment as a tool to pressure Israel and has stated that he does not believe Israel should exist as a “Jewish state,” a stance that has fueled further criticism from Israeli officials.
Israeli authorities had already expressed apprehension about Mamdani following his election victory in November. Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel described the outcome as “deeply concerning,” citing Mamdani’s history of activism and public statements. Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu also targeted Mamdani’s Jewish supporters, accusing them of having “raised their hands in support of antisemitism in the heart of America.”
Political analysts say the confrontation highlights a growing tension between progressive U.S. politicians who question aspects of Israeli policy and a government in Jerusalem that closely monitors such developments. Mamdani’s willingness to challenge long-standing U.S.-Israel city policies reflects a broader generational and ideological shift in American politics, where local leaders are increasingly influencing foreign policy discourse.
As Mamdani begins his term, he faces the delicate task of balancing his progressive domestic agenda with managing relations with both local and international stakeholders. The immediate backlash from Israel underscores the scrutiny that his administration will encounter on issues related to the Middle East, potentially setting the stage for ongoing debate over the boundaries between human rights advocacy and accusations of antisemitism.
