The BDS Movement Zohran Mamdani Supports Violates New York State Policy

Front Page Magazine ^ | October 31, 2025 | Joe Kaufman

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Will “Palestinian liberation” become New York City’s political future?

Zohran Kwame Mamdani wants to be the next mayor of New York City. But before voters even consider handing him the keys to City Hall, one question demands an answer: How can someone who proudly backs the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel – a movement that violates New York State policy – be trusted to lead the nation’s largest city?

New York’s BDS Ban

Nearly a decade ago, then-Governor Andrew Cuomo took a clear stand against anti-Israel boycotts. In 2016, he signed Executive Order 157, which prohibits New York State agencies from doing business with any company or organization that supports BDS.

Cuomo put it bluntly at the time: “If you boycott Israel, New York will boycott you.”

That policy has remained in place under Governor Kathy Hochul, reflecting broad bipartisan support. The message is simple – taxpayer dollars should never be used to advance hate, discrimination, or campaigns that target America’s closest ally in the Middle East.

New York’s anti-BDS stance is not just a political opinion – it is a legally binding order. That means any government leader – including the mayor of New York City – must comply with it. Yet Mamdani has built much of his adult life and political identity around promoting the implementation of BDS and, in so doing, calling for people to break NY state official policy, which unequivocally stipulates that:

“‘Boycott, divestment, or sanctions activity targeting Israel’ means to engage in any activity, or promote others to engage in any activity, that is intended to penalize, inflict economic harm on, or otherwise limit commercial relations with Israel or persons doing business in Israel for purposes of coercing political action by, or imposing policy positions on, the government of...”

[17th Miss Regt]

How can someone who proudly backs the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel – a movement that violates New York State policy – be trusted to lead the nation’s largest city?

He can't be trusted. But He'll probably be elected anyway.

[mass55th]

Oh don’t worry. The more than 2 to 1 RAT majority in the State Legislature, of which Mamdani belongs, will simply change the law, like they always do.