This Coalition will Shield Israeli Tech Companies in New York From Mayor Mamdani

The New York State Chamber of Commerce and the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce have launched the "New York-Israeli Chamber of Commerce Coalition," a defensive pact designed to safeguard Jewish and Israeli-owned businesses from targeted economic boycotts. The move follows a series of Day One executive actions by Mayor Zohran Mamdani that dismantled protections for firms doing business with Israel.

Upon taking office, Mamdani rescinded two key orders established by his predecessor, Eric Adams. The first had prohibited city agencies from contracting with entities participating in the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement. The second formally adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, which includes the delegitimization of the State of Israel.

"The reversal of these policies sends a signal of what is likely to come," Al Kinel, president of the new coalition, said in an interview. "It emboldens aggressive behavior toward these businesses."

Israel Hayom explains that the stakes for New York’s "Silicon Alley" are high. The city serves as the primary global hub for Israeli technology outside of Tel Aviv. According to data from the United States-Israel Business Alliance, 676 Israeli-founded companies call New York home, including roughly 20 "unicorns" valued at $1 billion or more. These firms are major contributors to the city’s tax base and employment figures.

Despite the policy shift, there are no immediate signs of a "tech flight."

"Israeli founders are resilient; we haven't seen a significant exodus yet," Mr. Kinel said. He noted, however, that while there isn't "panic," there is a heightened state of "alert." The coalition plans to pivot from a defensive posture to an offensive one, actively connecting Israeli firms with U.S. investors and partners to ensure New York remains an attractive destination for foreign capital.

The formation of the group follows a year of rising friction. Businesses with Israeli ties have increasingly found themselves in the crosshairs of local labor disputes and activism. At Breads Bakery, a popular local chain with Israeli roots, staff recently pressured management to sever ties with Israel during a unionization drive. Other storefronts have reported vandalism and harassment, as Israel Hayom reported.

"When political agendas create an environment where threats become normalized, collective action is the only response," said Galit Miran, CEO of the Israel-America Chamber of Commerce.

For the coalition, the goal is to ensure that the city's status as a premier tech hub remains decoupled from the shifting winds of local politics. "These companies are an integral part of the ecosystem," said Guy Franklin, founder of *Israeli Mapped in NY*. "They rent the offices and pay the taxes that keep this city running."

Israel hayom contributed to this article.