Revoked Orders Sought to Restrict Advocacy for Palestinian Human Rights
(New York, N.Y., January 2, 2026) – Mayor Mamdani's revocation of two executive orders designed to stifle advocacy for Palestinian human rights is an important move to restore the free speech rights of New Yorkers, said DAWN today. The organization called on Governor Kathy Hochul to follow Mamdani's example and repeal similar executive orders and guidance at the state level.
The revoked orders include the formal adoption of the discredited International Holocaust Remembrance Association's (IHRA) definition of antisemitism that classifies criticism of the Israeli government as "antisemitic" and a prohibition on city officials from divesting assets in Israel or otherwise supporting the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) campaign against Israel.
"Mayor Mamdani has restored the free speech rights of New Yorkers by revoking these orders issued by former Mayor Adams that sought to punish our advocacy for Palestinian rights and criticism of Israeli human rights abuses," said Sarah Leah Whitson, DAWN's executive director. "Mamdani has made clear that he will protect our rights and freedoms against nefarious meddling of foreign governments like Israel who think they can force us to be silent."
Mayor Adams issued these orders before the end of his term in a desperate effort to curry favor with his pro-Israel backers during his failed mayoral reelection bid. Executive Order No. 60, issued on December 2, 2025, prohibited city officials from "discriminating" against the Israeli government or businesses supporting Israeli occupation and apartheid, notwithstanding New York City's legal obligations to refrain from aiding and abetting Israeli human rights abuses. Executive Order No. 52, issued on June 8, 2025, formally adopted the definition of antisemitism created by the IHRA that includes describing Israel's apartheid government as a racist state.
"Governor Hochul should follow Mayor Mamdani's lead and revoke the state's shameful anti-BDS order and support for the IHRA antisemitism definition that have undermined the rights of New Yorkers to advocate for Palestinian rights," said Raed Jarrar, DAWN's advocacy director. "We need elected officials who respect the rights of New Yorkers to speak their minds, not bow to pro-Israel megadonors who have so corrupted our government."
While Hochul has not formally adopted the IHRA definition, in June 2022, she issued a non-binding proclamation that recognized the IHRA definition as a "vital resource" for identifying and combating antisemitism. In 2016, then governor Andrew Cuomo issued an executive order creating a list to sanction businesses and entities that support BDS by prohibiting the state from doing business with them.
