New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has been widely applauded by Palestinian rights advocates after revoking several pro-Israel municipal decrees on his first day in office, a decision immediately criticized by the Israeli government and former US President Donald Trump’s allies.

The executive actions, signed by former Mayor Eric Adams in the wake of his 2024 bribery charges, included restrictions on boycotts of Israel and directives preventing city officials from issuing contracts that “discriminate against the State of Israel, Israeli citizens, or those associated” with the US ally. Mamdani, sworn in on January 1, 2026, rescinded all these orders, signaling a sharp shift in the city’s approach to Palestinian rights and free speech.

Decrees Rescinded by Mamdani

One controversial Adams-era order adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism, which critics say is often used to suppress criticism of Israel. The IHRA guidelines include examples that equate criticism of Israel or support for Palestinian rights with anti-Semitism, such as:

• Claiming Israel’s existence is a “racist endeavor”
• Applying “double standards” to Israel compared with other countries

Human rights advocates argue these guidelines inhibit free speech and unfairly penalize individuals who oppose Israeli policies without targeting Jewish communities.

Advocacy Groups Respond

Nasreen Issa, member of the Palestine Youth Movement – NYC, praised Mamdani’s actions, stating:

“Mamdani’s rejection of these orders is a positive step towards protecting New Yorkers’ rights and the dignity of Palestinians.”

Similarly, Afaf Nasher, head of the New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), called the rescinded IHRA-based decree “unconstitutional” and aimed at silencing criticism of Israel’s human rights abuses.

YL Al-Sheikh, a Palestinian-American writer and Democratic Socialists of America activist, added:

“The IHRA is not about fighting antisemitism—it’s about stifling dissent. Mayor Mamdani took decisive action on day one to protect our rights to free speech, including the right to oppose Israeli apartheid and genocide.”

Israeli Government Criticism

The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs denounced Mamdani’s decision, claiming it reflected an “antisemitic agenda” and warning of negative consequences. Amichai Chikli, Israel’s minister of diaspora affairs, employed Islamophobic language, labeling Mamdani a “Hamas sympathizer” and comparing him to London Mayor Sadiq Khan, despite no evidence of any links to the Muslim Brotherhood.

Issa and other activists dismissed these claims as baseless disinformation and part of a broader effort to suppress pro-Palestinian advocacy.

US Political Response

The Trump administration also weighed in, with Harmeet Dhillon, assistant attorney general for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, warning that her office would monitor potential violations of religious liberties under the new mayor. Palestinian rights advocates emphasized that criticizing Israeli government policies should not be conflated with antisemitism or attacks on Judaism.

Mayor Mamdani’s Background

Zohran Mamdani, 34, became the first Muslim mayor of New York City on January 1, 2026, taking his oath on a copy of the Quran. A former state legislator and Democratic socialist, Mamdani campaigned on a platform of housing affordability, local governance reform, and social justice, while also voicing support for Palestinian rights.

During his inauguration, Mamdani pledged to continue the Mayor’s Office to Combat Anti-Semitism (MOCA), affirming his commitment to protecting Jewish New Yorkers while ensuring free speech rights for all residents.

Mamdani’s rise was marked by a series of political upsets:

• Defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary
• Winning the general election against Cuomo’s independent bid, backed by Donald Trump
• Capitalizing on voter dissatisfaction with Adams’ scandal-laden administration

Significance of Mamdani’s Actions

By rescinding the pro-Israel decrees, Mamdani has sparked a national debate over municipal authority, free speech, and foreign policy influence on US cities. Activists argue that the Israeli government’s criticism highlights efforts to control discourse and criminalize dissent rather than genuine concern over antisemitism.

For Palestinian rights advocates, Mamdani’s decision is a symbolic and practical victory, reinforcing local protections for political expression while challenging laws and policies they view as restricting criticism of Israel.