New York City's outgoing mayor, Eric Adams, is urging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to come to the city despite Zohran Mamdani's intention to arrest him.
Speaking while visiting Israel in recent days, Adams said in a special interview with Israel Hayom: "I believe the prime minister should visit the city. I think he should start with the inauguration ceremony of Mamdani in the presence of the City Council on January 1 to send a strong message to the largest Jewish community outside Israel. He needs to make clear to the entire community that he will continue visiting the city as often as possible, and he should begin on January 1."
Adams arrived in Israel for a farewell visit after leaving an office he had held since January 2022. He did not run directly against Zohran Mamdani, withdrawing from the race earlier in order to bolster Andrew Cuomo's chances. That move failed and Mamdani, who took explicit antisemitic positions, ultimately won. Adams, who strengthened ties between New York and Israel during his four years in office and enjoyed strong support from the Jewish community, made clear in the phone interview that he intends to continue along the same path.
What future do you see for ties between New York and Israel in the coming years?
"I think many of us are disappointed by the election results," Adams said. "But we must not in any way allow the energy coming from the victory of the Democratic Socialists of America and Zohran to do anything that damages the atmosphere for Jewish New Yorkers or the relationship between Israel and the city. Mamdani has already declared that he intends to advance several initiatives such as canceling the IRA definition of antisemitism as well as the possibility that he will shut down our Office for the Prevention of Antisemitism."
Adams added: "In response, we will call on New Yorkers to stand up and declare clearly that hatred has no place in our city. We will remain vigilant. I will no longer be mayor, but I am not going anywhere. I intend to continue the work I have done for many years surrounding issues of hate in general and antisemitism in particular."
How will New York be affected if he does what he says he will do, such as severing all ties with Israel and with Israeli institutions like the Technion, which has a branch in New York?
"Mayor, not emperor", Adams said. "He must work with additional government authorities to implement many of the decisions and policies he has announced. As far as I understand, the investment comptroller has made clear he does not intend to withdraw our pension funds from Israeli companies or funds. Other members of Mamdani's administration do not support these moves. He will therefore have to navigate the role of mayor while coordinating with other layers of government.
What concerns Adams even more is the atmosphere Mamdani may create as mayor. "Does a mayor create an environment where one group is treated differently from others? Will he ignore the annual Israel Parade? Will he treat certain New Yorkers, or their way of life, differently? To that I say no. That is not New York. We must stand up and ensure that does not happen."
In this context, what should Israel and the Jewish community in New York do in response to Mamdani? Some Jews say they will leave the city. Some are buying weapons. Should the Jewish community consider leaving?
"History has not been kind when it comes to attacks on the Jewish people, from the days of Moses to what we saw in Spain under Christopher Columbus, to the ghettos in Rome and Nazi Germany", Adams said, delivering a pointed message. "I think the time has come to say we are not going to run. We are going to fight. This must be a generation that confronts hatred. I am asking New Yorkers to join me as I take a firm stand and declare that we will not surrender to hate. And I am asking all Jewish New Yorkers to do the same."
