New York Mayor Eric Adams Signs Last Minute Executive Orders Aimed at Curbing Antisemitism 

New York’s outgoing mayor, Eric Adams, has signed two executive orders aimed at strengthening protections for Jewish residents and formalizing the city’s relationship with the State of Israel. The measures were issued last week and are intended to curb discrimination linked to Israel as well as bolster security for houses of worship across the city.

The first order, Executive Order 60, took effect immediately. It prohibits city agencies, senior officials, contracting officers and any personnel appointed by the mayor from engaging in procurement practices that discriminate against Israel or Israeli-affiliated entities. Under the order, any employee who violates the directive may face disciplinary action from their agency. New York’s pension systems are also instructed to oppose efforts to divest from municipal bonds or other assets on the basis of ties to Israel.

In announcing the order, Adams said it reflects a commitment to ensuring that New Yorkers are not targeted because of their identity or political associations. He added that the directive would also examine broader ways to guarantee that residents can practice their religion “safely and peacefully.”

The second directive, Executive Order 61, focuses on the protection of religious institutions of all denominations. Recognizing that New York is home to thousands of houses of worship, the order instructs the NYPD to issue clear guidelines for safeguarding these institutions and the people who attend them. Although not limited to the Jewish community, the order follows a series of protests outside synagogues, including demonstrations sparked by the pro-Palestinian positions of incoming mayor Zohran Mamdani, who has accused Israel of “discrimination and genocide” and expressed support for the BDS movement.

Adams has also urged the creation of a protest-free buffer zone ranging from five to twenty meters around houses of worship, arguing that such a measure would protect congregants from intimidation while maintaining general free-speech rights.

In remarks accompanying the orders, Adams stressed New York’s historic connection to the Jewish community and noted a rise in antisemitic incidents in recent years. “New York has always been the melting pot of this nation,” he said. “But far too often in recent years, we have seen people of Jewish descent singled out and attacked. We are making sure our city government will not participate in such behavior.”