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Mamdani Revokes Antisemitism Executive Orders as First Act

Zohran Mamdani, New York City’s first Muslim mayor, is under fire for immediately revoking all late-term executive orders issued by his predecessor, Eric Adams, including protections for the city’s Jewish community.

Mamdani on Thursday revoked all Adams’ orders dating from Sept. 26, 2024, the date the former mayor was indicted on federal bribery and campaign finance charges, stating that he was making the changes to allow a “fresh start for the incoming administration.”

Israel’s foreign ministry on Friday accused Mamdani of antisemitism because of his moves.

Zohran Mamdani, New York City’s first Muslim mayor, is under fire for immediately revoking all late-term executive orders issued by his predecessor, Eric Adams, including protections for the city’s Jewish community.

Mamdani on Thursday revoked all Adams’ orders dating from Sept. 26, 2024, the date the former mayor was indicted on federal bribery and campaign finance charges, stating that he was making the changes to allow a “fresh start for the incoming administration.”

Israel’s foreign ministry on Friday accused Mamdani of antisemitism because of his moves.

Mamdani’s second executive order confirms the continuance of the Office to Combat Antisemitism,.

“The Mayor’s Office to Combat Antisemitism shall identify and develop efforts to eliminate antisemitism and anti-Jewish hate crime using the existing resources of the City of New York,” the order says.

The office released its initial annual report Tuesday, before Adams left office.

In it, Adams noted the executive orders he issued to protect the Jewish community, including adopting the IHRA’s working definition of Jew hatred.

Mamdani’s order also revoked Adams’ Dec. 2 Order 60, which barred city entities and personnel from boycotting or divesting from Israel, as well as EO 61, directing the New York City Police Department to examine the creation of zones around houses of worship to prohibit protesting.

Mamdani’s orders do not appear to affect the Adams-created New York City–Israel Economic Council, as it was created by a declaration of intent rather than an executive order.

However, Mamani said during his campaign that he intended to dissolve the council.

Newsmax has reached out to Mamdani’s office for comment on the economic council’s future and on his own executive orders.

Mark Goldfeder, director of the National Jewish Advocacy Center, commented that it is “hard to overstate how disturbing it is that one of the first acts of the new New York City mayor was to delete official tweets and executive orders addressing the protection of Jewish New Yorkers.”

Adams has also spoken out, stating that Mamdani “promised a new era and unity today,” adding, “This isn’t new. And it isn’t unity.”

Swiss investigators believe sparkling candles atop wine bottles ignited fatal bar fire

CRANS-MONTANA, Switzerland (AP) — Investigators say they believe sparkling candles atop Champagne bottles ignited the fatal fire at a Swiss ski resort when they came too close to the ceiling of a bar crowded with New Year’s Eve revelers. Investigators said Friday that they planned to look into whether the material on the ceiling that was designed to muffle sound conformed with regulations. The candles give off a stream of upward-shooting sparks. Officials said they were the kind that are commonly available for parties. Forty people were killed and another 119 injured in the blaze as it ripped through the busy Le Constellation bar at the ski resort of Crans-Montana.

How one Swiss hospital coped with the injured from the Alpine bar fire

SION, Switzerland (AP) — The hospital that initially took in the majority of injured victims from a fire at a Swiss bar is no stranger to emergencies: In the heart of the Alps, it is used to treating winter sports enthusiasts who have accidents on the slopes. But the flood of young and severely burned survivors from the blaze that tore through Le Constellation in Crans-Montana during New Year’s Eve revelry was something else. The general director of the regional hospital in Sion that took in several dozen injured people said those with severe burns face months of treatment but expressed hope that their youth will speed their recovery. He told The Associated Press that the injured were teenagers and young adults.

Earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.5 rattles southern and central Mexico

MEXICO CITY (AP) — A strong earthquake rattled southern and central Mexico, interrupting President Claudia Sheinbaum’s first press briefing of the new year as seismic alarms sounded. Friday’s quake had a preliminary magnitude of 6.5 and its epicenter was near the town of San Marcos in the southern state of Guerrero near the Pacific coast resort of Acapulco, according to Mexico’s national seismological agency. The U.S. Geological Survey said the earthquake occurred at a depth of 21.7 miles (35 kilometers). There were no immediate report of damage or casualties.

FBI says it disrupted a potential New Year’s Eve attack inspired by Islamic State group

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The FBI says it has disrupted a plot to attack a North Carolina grocery store on New Year’s Eve, arresting a man who officials said was inspired by the Islamic State group and pledged his loyalty to the extremist militants. Christian Sturdivant faces a charge of attempting to provide material support to a foreign terror organization. It was not immediately clear if he had a lawyer who could speak on his behalf. Sturdivant was arrested by federal agents on Wednesday and remained held following an appearance before U.S. District Judge Susan Rodriguez on Friday morning pending a hearing next week.

A grandmother and her grandson burn to death in a Gaza tent; Angelina Jolie visits Rafah crossing

DEIR AL BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — A grandmother and her 5-year-old grandson have burned to death in Gaza when their tent caught fire. Thousands of Palestinians are battling winter conditions in flimsy makeshift housing. The shaky 12-week-old ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has largely ended large-scale Israeli bombardment of Gaza. But the death toll continues to grow and aid groups say not enough shelter materials are getting into Gaza. American actor and film producer Angelina Jolie visited the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip on Friday. Rafah is the only crossing between the territory and a country other than Israel. And it remains closed despite Palestinian requests to reopen it to people and aid.