Zohran Mamdani

Zohran Mamdani, NYC's current mayor, is an Uganda-born democratic socialist whose rhetoric on Israel and political record have sparked serious concern among Jewish communities. Three years ago, StopAntisemitism named him "Antisemite of the Week," sounding the alarm over his "Not On Our Dime" bill targeting charities that support communities in Israel. Mamdani has a longstanding record of supporting the antisemitic Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement and has condemned Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system, which is credited with saving countless Jewish and Arab lives alike. Now, with the power and influence of New York City's mayoralty, those warnings are more pressing than ever and demand a renewed spotlight.

Zohran Mamdani pushing pro-BDS legislation that singles out Israel.

Zohran Mamdani's actions and statements, both before taking office in January and since, have alarmed Jewish communities nationwide. Antisemitism was already rising in New York City and his rhetoric further normalizes and emboldens those who express antisemitic views.

Examples of Mamdani's actions include:

• Saying the NYPD's "boot" on people's necks had "been laced by the IDF."

• Failing to mention Hamas in his initial statement on the October 7th massacre, instead targeting Israel and calling for an end to "occupation" and "apartheid."

• Revoking the adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism on his first day in office.

• Welcoming terror apologist Mahmoud Khalil to his mayoral residence.

• Participating in an interview with known antisemite Hasan Piker.

• Repeatedly refusing to condemn "Globalize the Intifada," a slogan associated with violence against Jews.

• Using the official mayoral platform to commemorate the Nakba, presenting a one-sided account that completely erased Jewish massacres and the more than 800,000 Jews displaced from Arab countries.

• Calling AIPAC "monsters" and saying they "move millions in dark money... to preserve their power so they can turn us on one another."

Mayor Mamdani calling AIPAC "monsters" and saying they "move millions in dark money... to preserve their power so they can turn us on one another," an age-old antisemitic trope.

Most recently, Mamdani marked the the third anniversary of October 7th by accusing Israel of genocide and once again claiming "occupation and apartheid." He turned a solemn moment of remembrance and grief into a platform for antisemitic blood libels, amplifying accusations against Israel while deflecting blame from Hamas.

A mayor's words carry enormous weight, especially in a city home to the largest Jewish population outside Israel. NYPD data show antisemitic hate crimes rose 8.5% from January through July 2026 compared with the same period in 2025, accounting for nearly 57% of all hate crimes despite Jews making up just 10% of the city's population. The stakes could not be higher.

When StopAntisemitism first raised concerns about Mamdani's rhetoric in 2023, he was an assemblymember still building a national profile, amplified by figures like Linda Sarsour. Today, he wields the power of the mayoralty to reach millions. When rhetoric that demonizes Jewish communities and dismisses their concerns comes from City Hall, the danger is not just what is said - it's what others may feel emboldened to do.