Adams Orders New York City Agencies to Uphold Pro-Israel Financial Posture

New York City Mayor Eric Adams signed two executive orders on Wednesday aimed at ensuring city agencies make decisions free from political activism against Israel.

Executive Order 60 prohibits the city’s procurement departments and pension funds from engaging in any form of discrimination against Israel. This includes barring contracts with or investments in companies participating in the BDS movement, which seeks to boycott, divest, and sanction entities it deems hostile to its goals regarding Israel.

Adams declared the move essential for preserving New York City’s strong financial ties with Israel and preventing decisions from being influenced by what he termed “discriminatory policies based on politics or national origin.” The order applies significantly to $32 billion in city contracts annually, alongside nearly $300 billion already invested across various pension funds. Although some investments in Israeli companies were noted as existing under outgoing Comptroller Brad Lander’s tenure, this executive order reinforces the pro-Israel stance within city financial operations.

The second order directs stricter security protocols for houses of worship and explores designating protest-free zones near their entrances following a synagogue protest that reportedly involved chants described by officials as threatening. Adams framed these actions as necessary steps to protect religious communities from antisemitism, aligning with his administration’s priorities in this area.

This announcement occurs just weeks before Councilman Zohran Mamdani is set to become the next mayor on January 1st, 2026. Mamdani has been a long-standing public supporter of BDS activities targeting U.S.-Israeli relations.

The timing raises questions about whether Mayor Adams’s decisions will represent only an early test or could face reversal under future leadership. These orders underscore the ongoing tension in New York City politics surrounding foreign policy and financial relationships with Israel, particularly as they precede the transition to a mayor known for different priorities on international issues.