Mayor Mamdani – in his own words

JVL Introduction

Here, in his own words New York Mayor, Zohran Mamdani sets out the framework and his commitments within his inaugural speech.  Mamdani becoming Mayor is a positive start to 2026. He says “Beginning today, we will govern expansively and audaciously. We may not always succeed. But never will we be accused of lacking the courage to try.

To those who insist that the era of big government is over, hear me when I say this—no longer will City Hall hesitate to use its power to improve New Yorkers’ lives.”

We know that there will be ongoing attacks on him and what he stands for  and we know our colleagues in the USA (eg in Jewish Voice for Peace) will be working with others to “have his back”.

Along with taking his oath on the Koran (itself a cause for ciriticism!), with words from others in the Democratic Socialists of America movement was the song “Bread and Roses” written to commemorate a poster in the march of women strikers, making it clear that “Yes it is bread that we fight for but we fight for roses too”. (The song originated from a poem by James Oppenheim, inspired by a speech from woman’s suffrage actgivist Helen Todd, always associated with the Lawrence textile strike of 2012)

On his first day he revoked many of his predeccessor, Adam’s orders across many themes and we welcome much of this this included ending the City’s use of the IHRA “definition” of antisemitism and the proscription on BDS and  but even the Times of Israel (ToI)  The Times of Israel had to note that he is keeping the antisemitism office that Adams set up.  However, the ToI had to carp and say that “Mamdani has condemned classic expressions of antisemitism such as swastika graffiti and tropes about Jewish greed, while defending or espousing anti-Zionist rhetoric that the mainstream Jewish community find discriminatory!”  We are delighted that he understands the difference between anti-Zionism and antisemitism and that, among the many types of New Yorkers he refers to, he includes the “…Palestinian New Yorkers in Bay Ridge, who will no longer have to contend with a politics that speaks of universalism and then makes them the exception.” (my emph LL)

We wish him and the people of New York every success.

LL

This article was originally published by New York City Mayor's Office (website) on Thu 1 Jan 2026. Read the original here.