USA
NYC mayor Zohran Mamdani revokes IHRA definition of antisemitism on first day in office
The newly sworn-in mayor of New York City is also staunch supporter of the BDS movement
January 2, 2026 12:08
The newly sworn-in mayor of New York City is also staunch supporter of the BDS movement
January 2, 2026 12:08New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani, has revoked the IHRA working definition of antisemitism within hours of taking office after being sworn in on New Year’s Day.
Intended to protect Jewish people around the world from anti-Jewish hatred, the IHRA (International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance) working definition of antisemitism is rejected by some, who claim the wording is a tool to prevent criticism of Israel and its actions in Gaza.
Under the definition, in addition to “calling for, aiding, or justifying the killing or harming of Jews in the name of a radical ideology or an extremist view of religion” and “accusing Jews as a people of being responsible for real or imagined wrongdoing committed by a single Jewish person or group, or even for acts committed by non-Jews”, it is also deemed antisemitic to “[deny] the Jewish people their right to self-determination, e.g., by claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavour.”
Mamdani has repeatedly refused to recognise Israel’s right exist as a Jewish state, saying "I would not recognise any state's right to exist with a system of hierarchy on the basis of race or religion”.
The newly installed left-wing mayor, who has made history as the first South Asian person and first Muslim elected to the role, scrapped the IHRA definition in an executive order as he also overturned a a host of other pro-Israel measures taken by his predecessor, Eric Adams.
A staunch supporter of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, Mamdani nullified an order that opposed the campaign to boycott Israel.
An executive order outlining the mayor’s office structure and operations, stated that the antisemitism office will remain in place, however. The office will operate in a similar fashion to how it did under Adams, it appears. The director of the office, Rabbi Moshe Davis, a close aide to Adams, told The Times of Israel yesterday that he had not received any communication from the Mamdani team and it was unclear if he would remain in his position.
To get more news, click here to sign up for our free daily newsletter.