Mamdani was sworn in and promised: “The Ministry for Combating Anti-Semitism is important to us”

Zohran Mamdani was officially sworn in last night (Thursday) as the mayor of New York City. During the ceremony he promised that he would be the mayor of all the residents. The new mayor also decided to cancel by administrative order the definition of international anti-Semitism and cancel the municipal ban on boycotting Israel. He rescinded the order signed by previous mayor Eric Adams last month, and New York Jews are worried about the move.

At a press conference he held yesterday, he also addressed the concern among the city’s Jewish community and clarified that the Office for the Fight against Anti-Semitism will remain intact: “This issue is very important to us, as part of our commitment to the Jews of New York, not only to protect them, but also to celebrate with them and respect them.”

During his inauguration ceremony he said: “Today a new era begins. I know there are those who look at this administration with suspicion. Only actions can change perceptions, but I promise you this: ‘If you are New Yorkers, I am your mayor.'” At the same time, he made it clear that he would not abandon his values: “I was elected as a democratic socialist, and so was Amshul. I will not give up my principles for fear of being labeled an extremist.”

Jewish rights organizations in New York demanded answers from the mayor’s office after the ceremony, after publications were deleted from his X account, which talked about the fight against anti-Semitism in the city and the protection of New York Jews. Mamdani has been doing everything he can since he was elected to endear himself to the Jews of New York, who fear for their status and safety in the city, following clear anti-Semitic comments by the elected mayor of New York, and his continued refusal to recognize the right of the State of Israel to exist as a Jewish state.

The mayor-elect of New York received harsh criticism on the social network after the inauguration. His opponents, mainly American right-wing people, claimed that Mamdani performed a gesture identical to the one performed by Elon Musk, a movement that resembled a raised hand salute.

The claims on the web were directed mainly at the American media, which, according to Mamdani’s opponents, “ignored” the coverage of his salute – and covered the alleged salute that Musk performed in a particularly wide way.