NYC Stands With Israel: Mayor Adams Signs Executive Order Restricting BDS Divestment

By FrumNews.com

In a symbolic move, outgoing New York City Mayor Eric Adams signed an executive order that would prohibit the city from divesting from Israel, as the so-called “anti-Zionist” mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani steps into City Hall next month.

According to the Mayor’s office, Executive Order No. 60 prohibits mayoral agency heads, agency chief contracting officers, and any other mayoral appointees with discretion over contracting from engaging in procurement practices that discriminate against the State of Israel, Israeli citizens, or those associated with Israel.

The executive order also prohibits the chief pension administrator and mayoral trustees of the city pension system from opposing divestment from bonds and other assets that would discriminate against the State of Israel, Israeli citizens, or those associated with Israel.

Leaked memos from the New York branch of the Democratic Socialists of America reveal that they “demand” the Mamdani administration to divest from Israel.

Now, the Adams is signaling from City Hall, not so fast to the new administration, by adding roadblocks and guardrails around what NYC actually cares about. However, the incoming Mayor can always repeal any executive order.

Adams also signed Executive Order No. 61, which directs the commissioner of the NYPD, in coordination with the New York City Law Department to review the NYPD patrol guide to evaluate new proposals for regulating protest activity occurring close to houses of worship, while mulling existing federal, state, and local laws regulating protests and other existing legal constraints on policing demonstrations and large gatherings.

“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,” said Mayor Adams. “Today, we are ensuring our city government doesn’t participate in that type of behavior and are putting in safeguards that protect New Yorkers’ tax dollars and protect their right to practice their religion without harassment.”

“[NYC] not only has a strong bond with the State of Israel because of our commitment to protecting a Jewish homeland, but also because it has always been a sound financial investment, and our financial decisions should continue to reflect that truth,” Adams continued. “Today, we are proud to sign this executive order and affirm that our investments and contracts should be made on the basis of what is best for New York City and our economic future, and not in pursuit of discriminatory policies on the basis of politics and national origin.”

“We are proud to sign an executive order to evaluate additional ways to ensure New Yorkers’ right to peacefully and safely practice their religion at houses of worship, while protecting the First Amendment rights to protest, to which all Americans are entitled. Together, these executive orders put us on a path to addressing these complex issues without discrimination,” Adams added.

In June 2025, Mayor Adams signed a historic executive order to recognize the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism. The IHRA working definition identifies demonizing Israel and holding it to double standards as forms of contemporary antisemitism; these are exactly the core tactics of the BDS movement.