Mayor Adams Issues Executive Orders Strengthening Ties with Israel, Protecting Religious Institutions
NEW YORK, NY - June 18, 2024 – Mayor Eric Adams today announced two executive orders aimed at bolstering New York City’s economic relationship with Israel and safeguarding the rights of New Yorkers to practice their faith without fear of disruption. one order prohibits mayoral appointees and agency staff from participating in boycotts, divestment, or sanctions (BDS) movements targeting Israel, while the other directs the NYPD to review its patrol guide regarding protests near houses of worship.
The moves come as New York City seeks to deepen economic cooperation with Israel, particularly in key sectors like technology, public safety, climate resilience, infrastructure, and life sciences. The New York City-Israel Economic Council, a new initiative, is designed to facilitate this collaboration.Simultaneously, the administration is responding to concerns about escalating disruptions at religious institutions, aiming to balance protected speech with public safety and religious freedom.
Executive Order No. 61 specifically instructs the NYPD commissioner, in coordination with the New York City Law Department, to evaluate proposals for regulating protest activity near houses of worship. This review will consider existing federal, state, and local laws governing protests and policing demonstrations. The order acknowledges the city’s diverse religious landscape and the need to ensure congregants can freely exercise their religion.
The first executive order, signed in June 2024, also formalizes the City’s commitment to combating antisemitism by adopting the International Holocaust remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism. The IHRA definition identifies demonizing Israel and applying double standards to it as forms of contemporary antisemitism – tactics frequently employed by the BDS movement. This action builds on Mayor Adams’ previous commitment to fighting hate and protecting vulnerable communities.
