New York, Olemah.com – New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has officially revoked the city’s antisemitism definition on his first day in office, a policy originally enacted by former mayor Eric Adams. The regulation had long been criticized for being overly pro-Israel and for restricting freedom of expression.
According to The Times of Israel, Mamdani annulled a rule that classified certain forms of criticism against Israel as antisemitic acts. The move represents a significant rejection of his predecessor’s executive order, which adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism.
Under the IHRA definition, denying the Jewish people the right to self-determination is considered discriminatory. It also states that claims asserting “the existence of the State of Israel is a racist endeavor” constitute antisemitism.
Mamdani, however, has repeatedly voiced criticism of the existence and policies of the Jewish state, particularly regarding its treatment of Palestinians.
In addition, Mamdani revoked an executive order opposing campaigns to boycott Israel. The mayor is a long-time supporter of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which calls for economic and political pressure on Israel over alleged human rights violations against Palestinians.
Another rescinded directive had instructed the New York Police Department (NYPD) to reassess how it handles protests near houses of worship. This order was introduced by Eric Adams following heated demonstrations outside synagogues. While Mamdani overturned the original directive, his subsequent executive order still calls on police to manage protests in a manner that safeguards civil liberties and constitutional rights.
Mamdani’s actions have been welcomed by pro-Palestinian activists in New York. Nasreen Issa, a member of the Palestinian Youth Movement – NYC, said Israel and its supporters have long pushed for what she described as the “criminalization of dissent.”
“Mamdani’s rejection of these policies is a positive step toward protecting the rights of New Yorkers and upholding the dignity of Palestinians,” Issa told Al Jazeera.
Praise also came from Afaf Nasher, Chair of the New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). She commended Mamdani for repealing what she called “unconstitutional orders that restricted New Yorkers’ ability to criticize the racism of the Israeli government or to boycott Israel over human rights abuses.”
“These orders limited fundamental freedoms and blurred the line between antisemitism and legitimate political criticism,” Nasher said.
The policy shift is expected to spark widespread debate across the United States, particularly over the boundaries between antisemitism, criticism of Israel, and the protection of free speech. Mamdani’s decision places New York City at the center of a broader national and global conversation on civil liberties, human rights, and democratic space.
Source : REPUBLIKA.CO.ID
Editor : Olemah News Editorial Team
Website : www.olemah.com
Published : January 03, 2026
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