NYC Mayor Adams meets Netanyahu, FM and protest leaders during Israel visit

Adams didn’t express his opinion about judicial reform

New York City Mayor Eric Adams met with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday during what the mayor called a “pivotal moment for Israel,” the Times of Israel reported.

“You are a great friend of Israel,” Netanyahu told Adams on the second day of his three-day visit, according to The Jerusalem Post.

“You live in a city that is the intellectual, cultural, financial hub of the world and we’re sort of another hub. If we combine the hubs together, we will do better for everyone.”

Adams later explained that he met with Netanyahu to "deepen [the] bonds" between his city and Israel."

They also discussed the government’s controversial judicial reform plans, which have resulted in a months-long movement of protests.

The NYC mayor also met with representatives of the reform protest movement.

“These are historic moments,” Adams said, “and I just wanted to be here not to interfere, but just to learn. I’m aware that my trip comes at a pivotal moment for Israel and I believe the people of Israel will decide on how they want to move forward.”

“I listened, I didn’t weigh in, I think the people of Israel will determine their destiny. It was important to me to meet with people from both sides and hear,” Adams continued, “but I did not give my opinion one way or another.”

Contrary to the U.S. Biden administration and other Democrat politicians in Washington, Adams has refrained from publicly criticizing the judicial reforms, instead stressing that his visit serves to understand both sides of the issue.

“I have many challenges in my city, and I wouldn’t want someone to come in and interfere with how they work them out,” Adams emphasized.

Before the meeting with Netanyahu, the mayor met Foreign Minister Eli Cohen and a senior settler leader, Binyamin Regional Council chair Yisrael Gantz.

Adams told the Times of Israel that he didn't use the visit to express his views about the status of the West Bank and the settlements.

“That is not why I’m here,” the mayor said. “I’m here to talk about the issues that we stated with public safety and technology and to show my support for the people of Israel.”

Cohen emphasized the connection between Israel and New York through the city’s Jewish community and commended Adams for his fight against antisemitism.