'Shows his true face’: Israel accuses NYC Mayor Mamdani of antisemitism on Day 1

Israel’s foreign ministry on Friday accused New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani of antisemitism, heightening tensions with the progressive leader just hours after he officially took office.

The criticism centered on Mamdani’s revocation of several executive orders from his predecessor, Eric Adams, including policies seen as supportive of Israel.

Under Adams, the city had barred officials from pursuing punitive economic measures such as boycotts, divestment, and sanctions against Israel.

His administration had also adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism, which it said recognised “demonising Israel and holding it to double standards as forms of contemporary antisemitism.”

“On his very first day as New York City Mayor Mamdani shows his true face: He scraps the IHRA definition of antisemitism and lifts restrictions on boycotting Israel. This isn’t leadership. It’s antisemitic gasoline on an open fire,” Politico quoted Israel’s foreign ministry as saying in a post.

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Mamdani took office just after midnight on New Year’s Eve, launching a term Democrats hope will energise the party ahead of the 2026 midterms.

The 34-year-old democratic socialist campaigned on an ambitious agenda, including universal free childcare and free buses, funded in part by higher taxes on corporations and the wealthy.

Friday’s rebuke from Israel adds an international layer to an already heated domestic controversy.

On Thursday, Jewish civil rights groups criticised the removal of posts on combating antisemitism from the official @NYCMayor X account shortly after Mamdani assumed office, warning it could send the wrong signal at a sensitive time.

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Mamdani has denied allegations of antisemitism, saying his criticism of Israel is rooted in human rights concerns. He has pledged to protect New York’s Jewish community while remaining outspoken on Middle East policy.

At his swearing-in, he highlighted the city’s diversity, joking: “Where else could a Muslim kid like me grow up eating bagels and lox every Sunday?”

Mamdani supports bond disinvestment to pressure Israel and does not believe Israel should exist as a “Jewish state,” positions that have long drawn Israeli scrutiny.

After his November election win, Israel’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel called the outcome “deeply concerning,” citing Mamdani’s past activism.

Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu criticised Mamdani’s Jewish supporters, claiming they had “raised their hands in support of antisemitism in the heart of America.”

With inputs from agencies