Rabbis voice concerns over Mayor Mamdani's Israel messaging in private meeting
LOWER MANHATTAN, New York (WABC) -- Mayor Zohran Mamdani held a private meeting with a group of rabbis, who are urging the mayor to tone down what they call his "anti-Israel messaging."
The rabbi's claim the mayor's stance on Israeli policy in Gaza and his calls to arrest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have not only led to a strained relationship with the Jewish community but are contributing to anti-Jewish hate crimes.
"What's happening is that New Yorkers and Americans are taking out their anger at the Israeli government on Jewish people here, and that's not OK," said Rabbi Rachel Timoner of Congregation Beth Elohim.
Timoner was one of 10 rabbis invited to City Hall for an hour-long, closed-door roundtable to voice their concerns about a growing rift between New York's first Muslim mayor and the largest Jewish community outside of Israel.
In particular, they brought up the recent stabbing of a Jewish man amid a rising tide of antisemitism, which the mayor has condemned. He has also condemned the Hamas massacre of October 7th, while accusing the Israeli prime minister of committing genocide in Gaza.
"Benjamin Netanyahu is a war criminal and the architect of a horrific genocide," Mamdani said in a video posted to YouTube.
Mamdani was a leading voice for Palestinian rights long before he launched his mayoral campaign.
"What we're asking for is for the mayor, when he does criticize Israel, is to combine with that in that moment with that message, clarity, explicit message to the to the people of New York, that nothing he says should be interpreted as giving permission for bias or hatred against the Jews of New York... that we are not the same as the Israeli government," Timoner said.
The rabbis say the mayor needs a more balanced approach.
"I told the mayor directly, the way you continue to talk about Israel endangers the Jewish community at large," said Rabbi Rick Jacobs. "If, instead of vilifying Israel, you spoke constructively, in measured tones, that would move the needle more than anything else, and I'm hopeful you'll use that power."
The administration's tone was upbeat.
"It was an open, positive and constructive conversation. Mayor Mamdani has and will continue to engage with Jewish life in New York City," Mamdani's administration said.
"This meeting was, 'thank you for listening to us. We want to work with you to change what's happening in our city because we desperately need Jews to be safe and safer than we are,'" Timoner said.
By all accounts, the mayor listened intently and took notes. It follows a similar meeting with leaders in the ultra-Orthodox community last week.
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