Zohran Mamdani on Gaza
TL;DR
Zohran Mamdani strongly supports Palestinian rights and has taken immediate action to revoke pro-Israel municipal decrees upon taking office.
Key Points
He revoked executive orders on his first day in office that restricted boycotts of Israel and adopted the IHRA definition of antisemitism in January 2026.
Mamdani has been an outspoken critic, framing the struggle for Palestinian liberation as one of empathy and solidarity during his mayoral campaign.
Despite his strong stance, he pledged to continue the Mayor’s Office to Combat Anti-Semitism and celebrate Jewish New Yorkers during his inauguration.
Summary
Zohran Mamdani, upon becoming the Mayor of New York City in January 2026, immediately signaled a major shift in municipal policy regarding the conflict in Gaza by revoking executive orders made by his predecessor. These rescinded orders included one that restricted boycotts of Israel and another that adopted the controversial International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism. Advocates for Palestinian rights praised these first-day actions as positive steps toward protecting the right to criticize Israeli government actions and boycott Israeli human rights abuses. Despite this stance, the mayor has repeatedly promised to protect Jewish residents and continue the Mayor's Office to Combat Anti-Semitism.
His vocal support for Palestinian liberation and condemnation of what he has termed the genocide in Gaza has put him at odds with pro-Israel groups and parts of the Democratic establishment, leading to sharp criticism. He has been an outspoken critic of Israeli policy, aligning himself with the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement and framing the struggle through solidarity. While some observers connect his rhetoric to a pattern of anti-Jewish sentiment, supporters view his position as a necessary break from political silence on Palestinian freedom.
Frequently Asked Questions
Zohran Mamdani expresses a strong position supporting Palestinian rights and has condemned the war in Gaza, terming it a genocide in some statements, according to reports from 2025. As mayor, he immediately took administrative action on his first day in office in January 2026 to reverse pro-Israel municipal policies. He consistently frames the issue through solidarity with the Palestinian cause.
Yes, the newly sworn-in Mayor Mamdani revoked several executive orders on his first day in January 2026, as reported by Al Jazeera. These included orders from his predecessor that restricted boycotts of Israel and adopted the IHRA definition of antisemitism. Supporters view this as a reinforcement of free speech rights regarding criticism of the Israeli government.
The mayor has faced sharp criticism from pro-Israel groups and some political figures who accuse him of antisemitism based on his vocal support for Palestinian rights, according to various reports. Conversely, Palestinian advocates praise his uncompromising stance, viewing it as a necessary departure from conventional US political caution. He has maintained that he is committed to protecting all New York residents, including Jewish New Yorkers.
Sources3
Why Mamdani is wrong: Gaza may be horrific, but it is not genocide
Palestine advocates praise NYC's Mamdani for revoking pro-Israel decrees
Zohran Mamdani Won't Be Silent on Palestine—Even If His Party Is
* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.