Israeli President Isaac Herzog welcomed outgoing New York City Mayor Eric Adams to his official residence on Monday to thank him for what he described as his longstanding and unwavering support for Israel.
“You are a dear friend of Israel and the Jewish people,” Herzog said. “This is your home, and your friends are here.”
Adams is visiting Israel from Nov. 14-18 to meet with government officials, tech leaders and economic strategists to strengthen economic ties and to send a message of solidarity against rising antisemitism.
Herzog thanked Adams for standing with Israel during the difficult months following the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas massacre. He recalled Adams’s “historic” visit to Israel in the early days of the war “just to be with us, to show strength and confidence.”
Herzog commended Adams’s leadership in New York and expressed concern about the political uncertainty after the city’s recent elections, which saw a virulent anti-Zionist elected mayor.
Adams reaffirmed his commitment to Israel, noting that despite political tensions in New York, “49% of New Yorkers made it clear that they don’t embrace the philosophy of anti-Israel.”
He emphasized that Israel remains “an ally and a friend,” and said that leaving office would not diminish his advocacy for Israel or for Jewish communities worldwide.
Adams warned of rising global antisemitism, including in New York, and said the moment requires “clarity and message,” vowing to continue speaking out against hatred.
Herzog called Adams’s stance “a big message” amid what he described as an alarming resurgence of antisemitic rhetoric worldwide. He remarked on the 1975 United Nations resolution equating Zionism with racism 50 years ago, which his father, then-Ambassador Chaim Herzog, famously denounced.
“I thought the world changes. No, it’s getting worse,” Herzog said. But he thanked Adams for his “strong moral clarity.”
Adams also met with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar on Monday. Sa’ar described Adams as “a true friend of Israel” and praised his consistent stand against antisemitism and for Israel’s right to defend itself.
Honored to host in Jerusalem @NYCMayor Eric Adams, a true friend of Israel.
— Gideon Sa'ar | גדעון סער (@gidonsaar) November 17, 2025
Mayor Adams stands, and has stood, unequivocally by Israel throughout the years.
He has always expressed a clear, moral voice against antisemitism of all kinds and in favor of Israel's right to defend… pic.twitter.com/52P8N4x4H5
Adams’ visit comes in the wake of Zohran Mamdani’s victory in New York City’s mayoral race on Nov. 5. Mamdani is a virulent critic of Israel and has been characterized as “openly antisemitic.”
Adams, who sought a second term as mayor, dropped out of the race in late September amid record low approval ratings. He endorsed former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who was defeated by Mamdani, 50.4%-41.6%.
Mamdani will be sworn in on Jan. 1, 2026.
