Scofield Biblical Institute and Theological Seminary

JANUARY 2, 2026 05:02

Updated: JANUARY 2, 2026 08:16

Newly inaugurated New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani rescinded a series of executive orders on his first day in office on Thursday, including one that deemed anti-Zionist rhetoric as antisemitic.

His predecessor, Eric Adams, signed the order adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance‘s definition of antisemitism, which includes clauses in its definition such as “Denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, e.g., by claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor,” and “Accusing Jewish citizens of being more loyal to Israel, or to the alleged priorities of Jews worldwide, than to the interests of their own nations.”

Other clauses include “Accusing the Jews as a people, or Israel as a state, of inventing or exaggerating the Holocaust,” “Drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis,” or “Holding Jews collectively responsible for actions of the state of Israel.”

Mamdani, then a state assemblyman nominated as the Democratic Party candidate, pledged in a September interview with Bloomberg News that he would rescind the acceptance of the IHRA definition of antisemitism if elected.

Zohran Mamdani is sworn in as mayor of New York City, flanked by his wife Rama Duwaji and New York Attorney General Letitia James, at Old City Hall Station, New York, US, Thursday, Jan 1st 2026. (credit: Amir Hamja/Pool via REUTERS)

During the public swearing-in ceremony on the steps of City Hall, Mamdani vowed to enact an aggressive agenda aimed at making the nation’s largest city more affordable for working people.

Mamdani’s journey to becoming mayor has not been without controversy, most notably because of his strongly anti-Israel, pro-Palestine stance and rhetoric – something that the Jewish community fears may manifest in increased antisemitism on the ground.

Two-thirds of NYC’s Jews did not vote for Mamdani, and many have expressed explicit concern about the new mayor’s actions. A November edition of JPPI’s Voice of the Jewish People Index showed that 67% of US Jews believe Mamdani’s victory will endanger New York’s Jews.

Additionally, a December ADL report found that 20% of Mamdani’s administrative appointees have ties to anti-Zionist groups. Some have even justified Hamas’s actions or celebrated the October 7 attacks. Many are members of Students for Justice in Palestine and Democratic Socialists of America, groups which Mamdani himself has long served as an organizer for.

Mamdani has accused Israel of “genocide” and “apartheid” and has promised to arrest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should he set foot in New York.

Herzog criticises Mamdani’s rhetoric as harmful to New York’s Jewish community

President Isaac Herzog sharply criticized New York City’s then-mayor-elect, Zohran Mamdani, in December, for comments he described as “outrageous” and harmful to Jewish communities during a speech at Yeshiva University in New York City.

Herzog said the mayor-elect’s remarks questioning Jews’ right to move to Israel and participate in traditional Zionist practices not only delegitimize the Jewish people’s ancient homeland but also “legitimize violence and undermine freedom of religion.” He labeled such rhetoric both anti-Jewish and anti-American.

Mathilda Heller, Pesach Benson/TPS, and Reuters contributed to this report.

BySAM HALPERN

DECEMBER 31, 2025 09:03

Updated: DECEMBER 31, 2025 09:06

In the wake of the Israel-Iran war in June, the Islamic Republic is trying to rebuild its nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Fox News’ “Special Report” on Tuesday.

“[Iran is] trying to [rebuild its capabilities] and the president was correct when he said that the Fordow thing was obliterated. So they’re trying other sites. They will try that. They’re also trying to recover their ballistic missile production facility. We set them back considerably in both areas, but, yeah, they’ll try.”

The prime minister clarified that he wasn’t sure Iran decided to “cross the line” with its nuclear program in light of US President Donald Trump’s warnings against doing so and its recent experiences in the recent war.

nt ain obstacle to moving to second phase of Gaza ceasefire, Netanyahu says

Speaking on the topic of Gaza, Netanyahu pointed to disarmament as the core barrier to proceeding to the second phase of the ceasefire.

“Hamas committed to disarm,” Netanyahu said, adding that the terror organization still has “about 20,000 people with, basically, Kalashnikov rifles” and “they have, altogether, 60,000 AK rifles.”

usePrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a joint press conference with US President Donald Trump (off frame) at Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida, on December 29, 2025. (credit: JOE RAEDLE/GETTY IMAGES) — usePrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a joint press conference with US President Donald Trump (off frame) at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida, on December 29, 2025. (credit: JOE RAEDLE/GETTY IMAGES)

He added that Hamas also thus far refuses to dismantle hundreds of kilometers of terror tunnels in Gaza.

The prime minister also pointed to Hamas disarmament, whether through Israeli efforts or the efforts of an International Stabilization Force, as the key to getting a new governing body in Gaza.

West Bank settler violence a ‘bloated’ issue, Netanyahu says

Fox News’ Bret Baier also asked Netanyahu about settler violence in the West Bank, noting that it was rising and represented a threat to regional stability.

Netanyahu pointed to a small number of around 70 young people who were responsible for the violence.

“They’re not from the West Bank,” he said. “They’re actually teenagers who come from broken homes, and they do things like chopping the olive trees, and sometimes they try to burn a home. I can’t accept that.”

Neverthless, Netanyahu claimed the issue was “bloated” and that there was a “false symmetry between the “teenagers” engaging in “vigilantism” and the “over one thousand terrorist attacks against the settlers, families, mothers who are driving on the roads with their children.”

Prospects of expanding Abraham Accords ‘really good,’ PM claims

The prime minister also spoke about the prospects of expanding the Abraham Accords, saying the chances were “really good.”

Asked specifically about Syria and Saudi Arabia, Netanyahu said it was possible specifically as a result of Israel’s military efforts diminishing Iran and its regional proxies.

“And so people are open to a peace agreement. So I hope we can do that with the Saudis and with others, and, by the way, also with Muslim countries outside the Middle East who are very interested.”

Watch: Iran protesters torch Qassem Soleimani statue

NYC mayor reverses antisemitism order defining anti-Zionism as hate

Herzog criticises Mamdani’s rhetoric as harmful to New York’s Jewish community

Netanyahu says Iran trying to rebuild nuclear, ballistic missile capabilities after June war

nt ain obstacle to moving to second phase of Gaza ceasefire, Netanyahu says

West Bank settler violence a ‘bloated’ issue, Netanyahu says

Prospects of expanding Abraham Accords ‘really good,’ PM claims

-- Important Links --