Summary (tl;dr)

New York City's new Mayor, Zohran Mamdani, has revoked executive orders from his predecessor that had adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism and opposed the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, sparking significant controversy.

Essential Background

The IHRA working definition of antisemitism, adopted in 2016, defines antisemitism as "a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews." It includes 11 illustrative examples, seven of which relate to criticism of Israel, making it a widely adopted yet controversial tool for identifying antisemitism. Critics argue that these examples can conflate legitimate criticism of Israeli government policies with antisemitism, potentially chilling free speech and academic freedom.

The Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement is a Palestinian-led, non-violent global campaign launched in 2005. It seeks to pressure Israel through economic and cultural measures to comply with international law regarding the occupation of Palestinian territories, equality for Palestinian citizens of Israel, and the right of return for Palestinian refugees. Supporters see it as a human rights movement, while opponents often describe it as antisemitic, particularly when its actions align with the IHRA definition's examples of antisemitism related to Israel. Former New York City Mayor Eric Adams had previously issued executive orders adopting the IHRA definition and actively opposing the BDS movement.

The Full Story

On January 1, 2026, his first day in office, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani issued a sweeping executive order that revoked all executive orders enacted by former Mayor Eric Adams after September 26, 2024. This decision effectively overturned Adams's directive for city agencies to use the IHRA definition of antisemitism and his order opposing the BDS movement. Mamdani, a known supporter of the BDS movement, had campaigned on the promise to rescind the IHRA definition if elected. While reversing these specific measures, Mamdani has stated that the city's Office to Combat Antisemitism, initially established by Adams, will remain in operation, although its future mandate and leadership are now subject to reevaluation.

Why It Matters

Mayor Mamdani's executive actions have ignited a fierce debate. Leading Jewish organizations in New York have strongly criticized the revocations, asserting that they remove crucial safeguards against antisemitism and undermine efforts to counter the BDS movement. Israel's foreign ministry also condemned the move. Conversely, civil liberties and Palestinian rights advocates have lauded Mamdani's decision as a victory for free speech, arguing that Adams's previous orders unfairly suppressed legitimate criticism of Israel and advocacy for Palestinian human rights. This development underscores the ongoing national and international tension surrounding the IHRA definition, the BDS movement, and the complex intersection of combating antisemitism with protecting fundamental rights to free expression.

Geographic Location

• New York City, New York, United States (Mayor Mamdani revoked executive orders; former Mayor Adams issued executive orders)