By: Ariella Haviv – Jewish Voice News

Outgoing New York City Mayor Eric Adams has embarked on a four-day visit to Israel, from November 14–18, as part of an initiative to bolster economic and technological partnerships while addressing the growing challenge of global antisemitism. According to a report on Sunday at The Jewish News Syndicate (JNS), the trip includes high-level meetings with government officials, business executives, and technology leaders, as well as visits to key security and counterterrorism training facilities.

Adams’ office confirmed that his itinerary was designed to strengthen “economic, governmental, and cultural bridges” between New York City and Israel, reflecting the mayor’s long-standing pro-Israel stance and his consistent advocacy for Jewish communities in both New York and abroad.

On Sunday, Adams visited Israel’s IMI Academy for Advanced Security & Anti-Terror Training, located in Ramat HaSharon, as reported by JNS. The academy, authorized by Israel’s Ministry of Defense, is a premier center for counterterrorism and special forces training, serving elite military and law enforcement units from across the globe.

During his visit, Adams was briefed on Israel’s advanced counterterrorism methodologies, intelligence coordination systems, and emergency response technologies. The IMI Academy’s programs are internationally recognized for integrating real-world battlefield experience with cutting-edge technological solutions for urban security—an area Adams has prioritized throughout his tenure as New York City’s mayor.

According to the information provided in the JNS report, Adams met with senior instructors and defense specialists to discuss potential avenues for collaboration between New York City’s emergency management departments and Israeli security innovators. “The fight against terrorism and hate must be global in its coordination and local in its vigilance,” Adams told reporters at the academy, reiterating his belief that Israel’s experience in countering violence and extremism offers vital lessons for metropolitan law enforcement in major cities such as New York.

Prior to his visit to the IMI Academy, Adams met with Tel Aviv Deputy Mayor Asaf Zamir, whom he described as “an old friend.” The two took a walking tour of Tel Aviv’s Nachalat Binyamin neighborhood, a vibrant area known for its artistic community and open-air markets.

As JNS reported, Adams’ meeting with Zamir carried both personal and symbolic weight. Zamir, who previously served as Israel’s consul general in New York from October 2021 to March 2023, maintained a close relationship with New York’s Jewish leadership and often collaborated with City Hall on initiatives promoting intercommunal solidarity and cultural exchange.

“Arrived in Israel and wanted to quickly meet with my old friend, Tel Aviv Deputy Mayor @asafzamir,” Adams wrote on social media. “Thank you for always being willing to discuss how our two cities can continue to work together—and for the walking tour of the vibrant Nachalat Binyamin neighborhood.”

A central component of Adams’ trip, according to the JNS report, is his mission to confront the resurgence of antisemitism both in New York City and worldwide. The mayor has frequently condemned antisemitic hate crimes, which remain the most prevalent category of bias-related incidents across New York.

In a video statement released before his departure, Adams emphasized the dual goals of his visit. “New Yorkers, I wanted to give you an update as we head out for our multi-day trip to Israel,” he said. “We’ll meet with different business and governmental leaders to discuss new opportunities to partner with our friends in Israel, while also discussing how we can continue to work side-by-side in the fight against antisemitism. We know hate has no place anywhere in the world.”

The JNS report noted that Adams’ firm stance on Jewish security and his visible alliance with Israel stand in sharp contrast to the political rhetoric emerging from New York’s incoming administration. His trip, occurring just one week after Zohran Mamdani’s victory in the New York City mayoral election, shines a spotlight on a clear ideological divide between the outgoing and incoming leadership.

As reported by JNS, Adams’ visit coincides with a politically charged moment for New York City. The November 5 mayoral election saw the decisive victory of Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist and outspoken critic of Israel, who captured 50.4% of the vote against former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who earned 41.6%.

Mamdani, who will be sworn in on January 1, 2026, has been characterized by multiple observers as a “virulent critic of Israel” and a politician who has aligned himself with anti-Zionist movements in the city’s activist community. His statements condemning Israel’s military operations and questioning the legitimacy of Zionism have drawn widespread condemnation from Jewish organizations.

JNS reported that Adams’ pro-Israel trip serves as a symbolic counterpoint to Mamdani’s rhetoric, emphasizing the outgoing mayor’s commitment to New York’s Jewish community and his efforts to safeguard the city’s deep-rooted partnerships with Israel.

Adams, who had initially sought a second term as mayor, withdrew from the race in late September amid record-low approval ratings. In an effort to consolidate centrist support, he endorsed former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, whose campaign focused on public safety, economic revitalization, and maintaining strong U.S.-Israel relations. Despite Adams’ endorsement, Cuomo was unable to overcome Mamdani’s grassroots surge.

In addition to addressing antisemitism, Adams’ trip has a significant economic dimension. According to the information contained in the JNS report, the mayor is meeting with Israeli tech entrepreneurs, venture capital executives, and municipal planners to explore partnerships that could benefit New York’s growing innovation and cybersecurity sectors.

Israel, often referred to as the “Startup Nation,” is home to one of the world’s most dynamic high-tech ecosystems. Adams’ meetings include discussions on smart-city infrastructure, AI-driven public safety, and sustainable urban development, all of which align with the city’s economic diversification goals.

A spokesperson for the mayor’s delegation told JNS that Adams hopes to “bring back ideas that can improve the efficiency, safety, and inclusivity of New York’s municipal systems.” The collaboration is also aimed at encouraging Israeli companies to expand their operations in New York, creating new investment pipelines between Tel Aviv and Manhattan.

Throughout his administration, Adams has cultivated a reputation as a staunch ally of New York’s Jewish community, attending Holocaust remembrance events, visiting Yeshivas, and advocating for increased funding for security at synagogues and Jewish schools. The Jewish News Syndicate (JNS) has repeatedly documented Adams’ efforts to foster religious tolerance and civic unity across the city’s diverse communities.

His Israel visit, likely to be one of his final major international engagements as mayor, encapsulates his broader vision of global cooperation and moral leadership in combating hate. While Adams’ political career now transitions into its post-mayoral phase, his actions during this visit signal a continued commitment to Israel and to confronting antisemitism in all its forms.

“New York and Israel share not only economic interests but moral imperatives,” Adams told reporters during a press briefing in Tel Aviv, as cited in the JNS report. “We stand for innovation, democracy, and resilience — and against hate, violence, and extremism.”

As Adams concludes his trip on November 18, his agenda will include meetings with Israeli national security officials and business leaders in Jerusalem and Haifa, as well as visits to educational institutions that partner with American universities.

According to the JNS report, the mayor’s team plans to present a comprehensive post-visit report outlining the potential for expanded partnerships in technology, public safety, and interfaith initiatives.

With his tenure nearing its end, Eric Adams’ final overseas visit as mayor stands as a reaffirmation of his deep ties to Israel and his enduring belief in the shared values between the Jewish state and New York City. As JNS reported, it also highlights the city’s role as a global center of solidarity, innovation, and cultural exchange — one that, under Adams’ leadership, never hesitated to stand with Israel and against antisemitism wherever it appeared.