Ten rabbis met privately with Mayor Zohran Mamdani, urging him to reconsider his Israel messaging and more clearly separate criticism of Israel from the safety of Jewish New Yorkers.
WEBDESK – HAJIRA IRFAN – NJNEWSLINE
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani faced a difficult conversation behind closed doors as 10 rabbis gathered at City Hall to raise concerns about his public comments on Israel.
During the hour-long meeting, the rabbis urged Mamdani to soften what they described as his anti-Israel messaging. They said his criticism of Israeli policies and his calls for the arrest of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have created tension with parts of the city’s Jewish community.
They also expressed concern that anger over the Israeli government’s actions could increasingly be directed toward Jewish people living in New York.
Rabbis Ask Mamdani to Separate Israel From Jewish New Yorkers
Rabbi Rachel Timoner, one of the 10 rabbis at the meeting, said criticism of the Israeli government should not become hostility toward Jewish people in New York.
She urged the mayor to make that distinction clearer whenever he speaks about Israel.
The rabbis said they wanted Mamdani to understand that Jewish New Yorkers should not be viewed as representatives of the Israeli government or held responsible for its actions.
Their concerns come as the relationship between Mamdani and parts of New York’s Jewish community remains strained.
Antisemitism Becomes Part of the Discussion
The conversation also turned to antisemitism and concerns about Jewish safety in the city.
The rabbis brought up the recent stabbing of a Jewish man as they discussed what they described as a growing rise in anti-Jewish hostility.
Mamdani has condemned antisemitism and the Hamas attack of October 7. At the same time, he has strongly criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza and accused Netanyahu of genocide.
His position on Israel has made him a divisive figure within parts of the city’s Jewish community.
The rabbis argued that the mayor’s words carry weight and that his criticism of Israel should be accompanied by a clear rejection of antisemitism.
Rabbis Want a More Measured Approach
Rabbi Rick Jacobs told Mamdani that he believes the mayor’s continued criticism of Israel could make Jewish New Yorkers feel more vulnerable.
Rather than asking him to remain silent on Israel, the rabbis encouraged Mamdani to use more measured language and focus on constructive criticism.
Their message was ultimately about drawing a firm line between political disagreement and hatred toward Jewish people.
Mamdani Listens as Rabbis Share Their Concerns
Despite the tension surrounding the subject, the meeting itself was described as positive and constructive by Mamdani’s administration.
The mayor reportedly listened carefully and took notes while the rabbis explained their concerns.
For the Jewish leaders, the meeting was an opportunity to speak directly with the mayor about safety, antisemitism and the effect his public statements may have on the community.
They also emphasized that they want to work with the administration rather than simply criticize it.
The Conversation Is Far From Over
The meeting followed another recent discussion between Mamdani and leaders from New York’s ultra-Orthodox community.
While the latest conversation did not settle the disagreements over Israel, it gave both sides an opportunity to address them directly.
Mamdani has made Palestinian rights and criticism of Israel an important part of his political identity. The rabbis, meanwhile, are asking him to recognize how those statements are being received by Jewish New Yorkers at a time when concerns about antisemitism remain high.
The meeting may not have changed anyone’s position on Israel, but it made one thing clear: the relationship between Mamdani and New York’s Jewish community is entering a critical phase, where every word from City Hall could carry consequences far beyond politics.
