Bold Action on Day One: Mayor Zohran Mamdani Signs Executive Orders Targeting Israeli Policies

January 03, 2026

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani wasted no time in his young administration, signing a series of executive orders on his third day in office that directly challenge U.S. and city ties with Israeli entities amid ongoing tensions over the Gaza conflict and broader foreign policy.

Sweeping Measures Target Settlements and Security Cooperation

In a packed City Hall ceremony flanked by progressive council members and Palestinian-American activists, Mamdani announced three major orders:

1. A directive prohibiting city pension funds from investing in any companies or bonds linked to Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, citing violations of international law. The move affects billions in assets managed by the city's five public pension systems.
2. An order banning New York City agencies from contracting with firms profiting from what the mayor called "the occupation and blockade of Gaza," including technology companies providing surveillance or cybersecurity tools to Israeli security forces.
3. Suspension of sister-city agreements and official exchanges with Jerusalem until "equal rights and self-determination for Palestinians are realized," while redirecting cultural funds toward joint programs with Palestinian communities.

Mamdani framed the actions as moral imperatives: "New York City will not use taxpayer dollars to subsidize apartheid, displacement, or violence. We stand on the side of human rights, international law, and the dignity of all people, from the river to the sea."

Immediate Backlash and Legal Questions

The orders triggered swift condemnation from pro-Israel organizations and some moderate Democrats. The Anti-Defamation League called them "divisive and potentially discriminatory," while Governor Kathy Hochul questioned their legality under state oversight of pension investments.

Jewish council members expressed alarm, with one calling the moves "a dangerous signal that singles out the world's only Jewish state." Business leaders warned of economic repercussions, given deep tech and finance ties between New York and Israel.

Supporters, including Jewish Voice for Peace and a coalition of Muslim and progressive groups, hailed the orders as historic. "This is what leadership for justice looks like," said a spokesperson for Within Our Lifetime.

National and International Ripples

The White House issued a measured response, with a spokesperson reaffirming "ironclad" U.S. support for Israel while noting cities have latitude on certain procurement decisions. Israeli officials decried the measures as "anti-Semitic in effect, if not intent."

Legal experts predict challenges in court, particularly over pension divestment authority, which often resides with state-appointed trustees rather than the mayor alone.

Part of a Broader Progressive Agenda

The orders align with Mamdani's campaign pledges to leverage city power on foreign policy issues traditionally handled by Washington. Earlier this week, he signed domestic-focused directives on rent freezes and childcare expansion.

City Hall sources indicate more international solidarity actions may follow, including potential recognition of Palestinian cultural institutions.

As lawsuits loom and debates rage across the five boroughs, Mamdani's early moves have thrust New York into the center of America's polarized discourse on Israel and Palestine.

In a city priding itself on diversity, the orders underscore deep divisions over how to translate global solidarity into local governance. The coming weeks will test whether Mamdani's bold strokes endure legal scrutiny or spark broader backlash.