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Israel\u2019s foreign ministry has accused New York mayor Zohran Mamdani<\/a> of pouring \u201cantisemitic gasoline on an open fire\u201d after he reversed a recent order by the outgoing mayor, Eric Adams.<\/p>\n \u201cOn his very first day as @NYCMayor<\/a>, Mamdani shows his true face: he scraps the IHRA definition of antisemitism and lifts restrictions on boycotting Israel. This isn\u2019t leadership. It\u2019s antisemitic gasoline on an open fire,\u201d the foreign ministry said in a post on X.<\/a><\/p>\n Mamdani revoked an Adams-era order that adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance\u2019s definition of antisemitism, which the previous administration said included \u201cdemonizing Israel<\/a> and holding it to double standards as forms of contemporary antisemitism\u201d.<\/p>\n Israel\u2019s response came hours after Mamdani issued an order to rescind all executive orders that Adams issued after he was indicted on federal corruption charges in 2024 \u2013 charges that were later, controversially, dropped.<\/p>\n Mamdani\u2019s office said the decision was to ensure \u201ca fresh start for the incoming administration\u201d.<\/p>\n One of Adams\u2019s orders, now revoked, included<\/a> prohibiting city officials overseeing the city pension system from making decisions in line with the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement, which Mamdani has said he supports.<\/p>\n A second order<\/a> directed the New York police commissioner, currently Jessica Tisch, to evaluate proposals for regulating protest activity occurring close to houses of worship. It came after demonstrations outside an Upper East Side synagogue hosting an event promoting immigration to Israel sparked claims of antisemitism.<\/p>\n \u201cNew York City has always been this nation\u2019s melting pot, but too often, over the last few years, we\u2019ve seen those of Jewish ancestry be singled out and targeted,\u201d Adams said last month, adding that the measures were aimed to \u201cprotect New Yorkers\u2019 tax dollars and protect their right to practice their religion without harassment\u201d.<\/p>\n The measures were seen as an effort to curb Mamdani, who has vowed to govern as a democratic socialist, and whose past comments about Israel, including a vow to divest New York from Israeli government bonds, have sparked some opposition.<\/p>\n But in his address on Thursday, Mamdani was careful to reassure Jewish New Yorkers, saying: \u201cWhere else could a Muslim kid like me grow up eating bagels and lox?\u201d<\/p>\n He was sworn in on the Qu\u2019ran by a Jewish New Yorker, Vermont senator Bernie Sanders. Also in attendance were Jewish religious leaders who had not endorsed Mamdani during his campaign.<\/p>\n \u201cI know there are some who view this administration with distrust or disdain, or who see politics as permanently broken,\u201d Mamdani said. \u201cAnd while only action can change minds, I promise you this: if you are a New Yorker, I am your mayor. Regardless of whether we agree, I will protect you, celebrate with you, mourn alongside you, and never, not for a second, hide from you.\u201d<\/p>\n After issuing his first set of executive orders, Mamdani said he would keep open the recently created Office to Combat Antisemitism<\/a>. \u201cThat is an issue that we take very seriously,\u201d he told reporters.<\/p>\n He made no similar assurances for supporting an Adams-era measure to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance<\/a> definition of antisemitism, which broadly codifies anti-Zionism as antisemitic.<\/p>\n William Daroff, CEO of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish organizations, called that move \u201ca troubling indicator of the direction in which he is leading the city, just one day at the helm\u201d.<\/p>\n