A coalition of 10 Reform, Conservative, and Modern Orthodox rabbis met with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani this week to express concerns about his public statements regarding Israel and their perceived impact on Jewish communities in the city. The meeting, described by the mayor’s office as an 'open, positive and constructive conversation,' follows ongoing debates over Mamdani’s rhetoric and its potential to fuel tensions.
Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the Union for Reform Judaism, told reporters that the rabbis urged Mamdani to adopt a more measured tone in his criticism of Israel. 'If instead of vilifying Israel, you spoke constructively, in measured tones — that would move the needle more than anything else,' Jacobs said. He added that he remains hopeful Mamdani will use his platform responsibly.
The rabbis’ meeting coincides with broader scrutiny of Mamdani’s statements on Israel, including his refusal during last year’s mayoral campaign to condemn phrases such as 'globalize the intifada' and 'from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.' Mamdani has argued that these phrases represent a call for equality and equal rights. In March, controversy arose again when his wife’s social media activity came under scrutiny for posts celebrating Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israeli civilians, including one that dismissed allegations of sexual violence as a 'mass hoax.'
Mamdani has also faced criticism for publicly calling for the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom he has described as a war criminal responsible for a 'horrific genocide against the Palestinian people.' Critics argue such rhetoric contributes to rising antisemitism in New York City, home to the largest Jewish population of any U.S. city.
Israeli Consul General in New York Ofir Akunis accused Mamdani of using language that mirrors historical antisemitic tropes. In an interview with Newsweek, Akunis compared Mamdani’s description of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) as 'monsters' to rhetoric used by Nazi Germany against Jewish people. Mamdani has defended his characterization, stating that AIPAC supports policies he views as immoral and that its influence undermines safety for Palestinians and others in the region.
During a June rally, Mamdani reiterated his criticism of AIPAC, alleging the group uses 'dark money' to advance its agenda. 'When I am speaking about AIPAC, I’m speaking about an organization that has been supportive of the status quo, that has fought any attempt to actually deliver safety to people,' he said. His remarks drew backlash, with Akunis framing them as part of a broader pattern of rhetoric that risks normalizing antisemitic language.
The mayor’s office has not publicly addressed the specific concerns raised by the rabbis or Akunis, though it has consistently defended Mamdani’s right to express his views. The meetings and public statements reflect a growing divide over the boundaries of political speech regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in one of the nation’s most diverse cities.