Eric Adams signed orders relating to the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement, and protests near houses of worship
New York City’s mayor, Eric Adams, has issued two executive orders he says are meant to combat antisemitism, less than a month before he hands over the keys to the mayoralty to Zohran Mamdani, an outspoken critic of Israel.
The first order prohibits city agency heads and staff from engaging in “any policy that discriminates against the state of Israel, Israeli citizens based on their national origin, or individuals or entities based on their association with Israel”. It also prohibits 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.
A second order directs the New York City police commissioner, currently Jessica Tisch, to evaluate proposals for regulating protest activity occurring close to houses of worship. That comes after demonstrations last month outside an Upper East Side synagogue hosting an event promoting immigration to Israel sparked claims of antisemitism.
“New York City has always been this nation’s melting pot, but, too often, over the last few years, we’ve seen those of Jewish ancestry be singled out and targeted,” Adams said in a statement. He said the measures were aim to “protect New Yorkers’ tax dollars and protect their right to practice their religion without harassment”.
