The new mayor of New York, Zohran Mamdani, launched his term with a striking and bold decision, dealing a blow to the policies established by his predecessor, Eric Adams, toward the Israeli occupation.
Mamdani signed the first executive order of his administration, cancelling all directives issued by Adams after the latter was accused of federal corruption in September 2024, including those related to the Israeli occupation.
The executive order signed by Mamdani includes revoking the ban on boycotting Israel that Adams had imposed in February 2024, as well as cancelling the adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism, which classifies certain forms of criticism of the occupying state as antisemitism, according to The New York Times.
Revoking Adams’ Orders
Mamdani explained that the objective of this decision was to ensure a “fresh start” for his administration, noting that “today marks the first step in building a government that works for all New Yorkers.” He added that the revoked orders were issued during a period when Adams had lost public trust, particularly after he was criminally charged.
Mamdani said: “That moment represented a turning point in the lives of many New Yorkers, when they decided that politics no longer meant anything to them.” He described the cancellation of these orders as a correction of the course of governance in line with the values of transparency, justice, and freedom.
Zohran Mamdani was formally sworn in as the first Muslim mayor of New York City shortly after midnight on New Year’s Eve during a private ceremony attended by his wife, his parents, filmmaker Mira Nair, and Mahmood Mamdani, a professor at Columbia University.
For the oath ceremony, Mamdani chose a copy of the Quran from the New York Public Library, which had previously been part of the personal library of Afro Latin historian Arturo Schomburg. Mamdani also used another copy of the Quran that had belonged to his grandfather during the ceremony, according to his transition team.
This choice carries deep significance for Mamdani and for the hundreds of thousands of Muslims who consider New York City their home, according to CNN, as it marks the first time the Quran has been used in a mayoral inauguration ceremony in the city’s history.
In a statement issued ahead of the ceremony, the library said Mamdani’s choice of Islam’s sacred book “represents an important moment in our city’s history.” New York State Attorney General Letitia James, whom Mamdani described as “a source of political inspiration,” administered the oath while Mamdani placed his left hand on the two copies of the Quran.
A Pledge to Govern with “Expansion and Boldness” for the Working Class
From the inauguration platform, Mamdani said he would lead New York with courage, adding: “We may not always succeed, but it will never be said that we lacked the courage to try.”
He pledged to “set an example for the world” by proving that the left can govern, stating: “Many will be watching us. They want to know whether the left can govern. They want to know whether it is possible to confront the challenges they face. Through our unity and determination, we will do what New Yorkers do best.”
Before a large crowd gathered in freezing temperatures, Mamdani vowed not to retreat from his campaign promises centred on combating the high cost of living. He thanked everyone who attended to support him, including former mayor Eric Adams.
It is noteworthy that Mamdani won the New York City mayoral election held on 4 November last year, becoming the first Muslim to lead the largest city in the United States.
Mamdani was elected based on a platform openly opposed to US President Donald Trump, particularly on economic and immigration issues. He later visited the White House, where he held talks with the president that surprised observers with their cordial atmosphere.
