NEW YORK, New York — Outgoing New York City Mayor Eric Adams signed two executive orders Wednesday that restrict how incoming Mayor Zohran Mamdani can handle city funds and demonstrations related to Israel. The orders prohibit the use of city business and pension investments to support boycotts, divestment or sanctions targeting Israel, effectively blocking Mamdani — a Democratic socialist who backs the BDS movement — from pursuing Israel-related disinvestment after taking office on January 1.
“BDS has no place in our city,” Adams said, calling the movement discriminatory and arguing that New York’s financial decisions must serve the public interest. Adams described Israel as both a reliable ally and a “sound financial investment.”
A second order directs the NYPD commissioner to evaluate new rules, including buffer zones, to regulate protests near synagogues and other houses of worship. Adams said recent demonstrations — including protests outside Park East Synagogue where crowds chanted “globalize the intifada” and “death to the IDF” — have disrupted worship and raised safety concerns. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, selected by Mamdani to stay on in his administration, apologized to synagogue leaders after an insufficient police response.
The executive orders put Mamdani in a politically delicate position as he weighs whether to rescind or uphold them. He has pledged to combat antisemitism but has also faced scrutiny over pro-Palestinian activism and past rhetoric about Israel.
The Anti-Defamation League has launched a “Mamdani Monitor” to track his administration’s policies and appointments.
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