On his first day in office, the new socialist and Muslim governor revoked two key executive orders related to Israel, earning him accusations of 'antisemitism' from the government of Benjamin Netanyahu and various Jewish organizations in the United States. The revoked measures had been issued by former Mayor Eric Adams towards the end of his tenure. The first prohibited municipal agencies from boycotting or divesting from Tel Aviv, while the second adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA)'s definition of antisemitism, which includes certain criticisms of the State of Israel as forms of Judeophobic hatred. Reaction from Israel and the Jewish Community The response from Jerusalem was immediate. Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the decision as 'antisemitic fuel,' while the consul general in New York, Ofir Akunis, warned that the measure represents an 'immediate threat' to the security of the local Jewish community, the largest outside of Israel. These criticisms were joined by a coalition of influential organizations, including: The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) The American Jewish Committee The UJA-Federation of New York For these sectors, the removal of IHRA protections and the opening to possible economic boycotts send a message of exclusion to New York's Jewish citizens. Mamdani's Stance and the Defense of Freedom of Expression Despite the backlash, Mamdani defended his decision on the grounds of protecting the First Amendment and freedom of speech. From his circle, with the backing of the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU), it was argued that Adams's orders had a 'chilling effect' on political discourse and activism. Mamdani, who has labeled Israel an 'apartheid' state and supports the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) movement, nevertheless reaffirmed his commitment to the security of the Jewish community and the continuity of the municipal office dedicated to combating religious hatred. Controversy over the Legal Team The controversy also extended to the appointment of Ramzi Kassem as the city's chief legal advisor. Buenos Aires, January 2 (NA) -- The start of Zohran Mamdani's term as mayor of New York unleashed a diplomatic and political storm of international reach. Kassem, a former White House official under the Biden administration, has been questioned for his previous work on the CLEAR project, where he provided legal advice to pro-Palestinian protesters, and in the past, he volunteered as a defense lawyer for a terrorism detainee at Guantanamo Bay. The rise of this new political wing to the helm of the 'Big Apple' marks a historic break in the city's relationship with Israel, opening an era of uncertainty and strong polarization in the financial heart of the United States.
