The head of a drone-manufacturing company whose clients include the Israel Defense Forces said his business is being booted from the city-run Brooklyn Navy Yard because of NYC Mayor Mamdani’s “pro-Palestine” agenda.
Published February 21, 2025
NEW YORK (February 21, 2026) — A Brooklyn‑based drone manufacturer that supplies surveillance equipment to both U.S. agencies and the Israel Defense Forces is being forced out of its space at the city‑owned Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corp. — a decision that has sparked sharp debate over New York City’s economic and political climate under newly inaugurated Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Eviction of Easy Aerial
The drone company Easy Aerial — which has rented space in the 300‑acre industrial park for seven years — received notice that its lease will not be renewed after June, ending its long‑running presence in the yard. CEO Shahar Abuhazira told reporters that the decision occurred amid intense pressure from activists and critics of his firm’s ties to Israel, and he believes the administration led by Mayor Mamdani was behind the move.
Shahar Abuhazira, CEO of Easy Aerial, told The Post he learned through “private conversations” with Navy Yard board members that Mamdani – who was sworn in as mayor Jan. 1 — is behind the ouster that ends the company’s seven-year relationship with NYC.Easy Aerial
Abuhazira claims that several private conversations with board members indicated “pressure from the mayor’s office,” though both the Brooklyn Navy Yard and City Hall have maintained publicly that the nonrenewal was strictly the result of lease and compliance issues. The Yard cited “operational and campus compliance matters” dating back to 2023, including unauthorized drone flights and improper use of utilities.
Easy Aerial assists the Israel Defense Forces by supplying surveillance drones for reconnaissance missions and monitoring borders along the Gaza Strip and Lebanon, but most of its work is with the US Air Force and other federal agencies.
Easy Aerial has been the frequent target of protests since the October 2023 war in Gaza, particularly from a group known as Demilitarize Brooklyn Navy Yard, which has organized demonstrations demanding the removal of tenants it links to military supply chains. During one recent protest inside the company’s building, activists reportedly blocked access for six hours.
Broader Backlash in NYC Business Community
The eviction has resonated beyond the Brooklyn Navy Yard. An opinion piece in the Queens Jewish Link argues that Mamdani’s pro‑Palestine orientation may mark the start of a broader shift in economic policy affecting Israeli‑linked firms in New York City. According to the author, the mayor’s appointments to boards controlling public assets like the Navy Yard and a shift away from the previous administration’s generally Israel‑friendly posture have alarmed some observers in the local Jewish and business communities.
Easy Aerial drone during testing at the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
Critics worry that political pressure may increasingly intersect with leasing and investment decisions, and that Israeli‑related businesses — which contribute substantial jobs and economic activity to the city — could face a less hospitable environment. Supporters of Mamdani argue that decisions like the Navy Yard board’s are driven by compliance and governance issues, not ideology.
Political Context
Mayor Mamdani took office on January 1, 2026, after a historic campaign that saw him become the first Muslim mayor of New York City. He has been a vocal critic of Israeli government policy toward Palestinians, positioning his administration’s approach toward international investment and ethical contracts as part of broader progressive priorities.
While Mamdani has condemned antisemitism and vowed to protect all New Yorkers, his rhetoric — particularly his support for movements critical of the Israeli state — has drawn concern from many Jewish leaders and business groups who fear that public policy may blur the line between political expression and economic discrimination.
Implications of the Easy Aerial eviction and the broader controversy surrounding Mayor Mamdani’s administration:
1. Economic Implications
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Loss of Jobs & Investment: Easy Aerial employs skilled technicians, engineers, and administrative staff. Their departure from the Brooklyn Navy Yard could reduce local employment and disrupt the city’s tech supply chain.
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Impact on Israeli-linked Businesses: If other companies perceive political pressure against Israeli-linked firms, they may reconsider expansion in NYC, potentially diverting investment to more politically neutral locations like New Jersey, Texas, or even international hubs.
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Real Estate & Leasing Precedent: Public asset boards may face increased scrutiny on how they approve or terminate leases. Companies could fear that political considerations, not purely compliance or financial factors, influence access to city-controlled spaces.
2. Political and Social Implications
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Polarization & Community Tensions: The situation intensifies the divide between pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian communities in NYC. Jewish and business organizations may view this as a signal of potential bias, while activists see it as a victory for ethical accountability in public contracting.
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Mayor’s Reputation: Mamdani’s administration may be perceived as ideologically driven, which could affect his broader agenda and coalition-building in city government. It risks alienating influential business groups and donors.
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Public Asset Governance: Boards controlling city-owned facilities may become political battlegrounds, with appointments and decisions increasingly scrutinized for ideological alignment rather than operational needs.
3. Legal & Compliance Implications
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Potential Litigation: Easy Aerial may sue for wrongful eviction or claim political discrimination, which could set a legal precedent for how NYC handles politically sensitive tenants in publicly owned facilities.
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Regulatory Scrutiny: If other city boards follow similar patterns, state regulators or federal agencies could investigate potential violations of anti-discrimination laws in public contracting and leasing.
4. Long-Term Strategic Implications
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Tech Sector Relocation Risk: NYC risks losing high-tech and defense-related firms to other U.S. cities perceived as more neutral politically. This could impact innovation, R&D, and municipal revenue streams.
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Policy Signaling: The incident signals that social and ethical considerations — including international political stances — may increasingly influence municipal decisions, affecting corporate strategies, lobbying, and civic engagement.
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Community Advocacy Evolution: Activist groups may feel emboldened to pressure other city-owned facilities, potentially leading to more contested leases and heightened public activism.
Overall Takeaway:
The eviction of Easy Aerial from the Brooklyn Navy Yard underscores the growing intersection of politics and business in New York City. While city officials cite compliance issues, the timing and context raise legitimate concerns about ideological influence on economic decision-making.
For NYC’s business community, the message is clear: political pressures — whether perceived or real — can disrupt operations, deter investment, and threaten jobs. Protecting private enterprise, property rights, and a neutral business environment is essential to maintaining the city’s role as a global hub for innovation and industry.
As the debate unfolds, both policymakers and residents must weigh the risks of allowing political considerations to overshadow sound governance, economic growth, and the livelihoods of ordinary New Yorkers. The long-term health of the city’s economy and its reputation as a fair place to do business may depend on the answers.
SOURCES: THE NEW YORK POST – ‘Pressure’ from ‘pro-Palestine’ Mamdani spurred drone company’s ouster from Brooklyn Navy Yard: CEO
THE JERUSALEM POST – Brooklyn Navy Yard evicts NYC drone maker Easy Aerial over alleged Israel ties
QUEENS JEWISH LINK – Mamdani Targets Israeli Businesses In NYC
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