The Israeli Foreign Ministry on Friday sharply criticized a decision by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani to abandon the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism and lift restrictions on boycotts of Israel, warning that the moves weaken efforts to confront rising antisemitism.
The ministry’s response came after Mamdani, on his first day in office, scrapped the IHRA definition and reversed Israel-related policies enacted by his predecessor, Eric Adams. Adams had signed an executive order in June formally recognizing the IHRA definition on behalf of New York City.
“On his very first day as @NYCMayor, Mamdani shows his true face: He scraps the IHRA definition of antisemitism and lifts restrictions on boycotting Israel,” it said in a post on X. “This isn’t leadership. It’s pouring gasoline on an open fire.
On his very first day as @NYCMayor, Mamdani shows his true face: He scraps the IHRA definition of antisemitism and lifts restrictions on boycotting Israel.
— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) January 2, 2026
This isn’t leadership. It’s antisemitic gasoline on an open fire.
The IHRA definition is widely used by governments and institutions around the world to identify contemporary forms of antisemitism, including certain manifestations related to Israel.
The repealed IHRA executive order had directed city agencies to use the definition when identifying and addressing modern antisemitism, including cases involving anti-Zionist targeting of Jews.
The policy shift comes as antisemitic incidents in New York City remain at historically high levels, according to law enforcement and community watchdog groups.
