Mamdani Wastes No Time Showing His Israel Hatred 

New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani issued a measured response Thursday to the chaotic anti-Israel protest outside Manhattan's historic Park East Synagogue on Wednesday night, where around 200 demonstrators chanted "Death to the IDF," "Globalize the Intifada," and "No settlers on stolen land."

While condemning the "shameful" intimidation of Jewish worshippers, Mamdani's statement took a controversial turn by criticizing the event inside the synagogue, an informational session by Nefesh B'Nefesh (NBN), a nonprofit that helps North American Jews make aliyah to Israel, as misusing a "sacred space" to promote activities that "violate international law."

What Happened at the Protest

The rally, organized by groups like Within Our Lifetime (WOL), Palestinian Assembly for Liberation, and Jewish Voice for Peace's New York chapter, targeted NBN's event as "settler recruitment."

Protesters heckled attendees entering the synagogue (which shares space with a day school and is led by 93-year-old Holocaust survivor Rabbi Arthur Schneier), with signs reading "Zionism is a death cult." Counter-protesters (pro-Israel Jews) blew shofars and shouted back, but NYPD barricades kept things from escalating. No arrests were made, but the chants evoked memories of the violent Second Intifada for many attendees.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul called it a "blatant attack on the Jewish community," and Jewish organizations like the ADL condemned it as antisemitic incitement. Mamdani's team echoed the safety concerns: "No New Yorker should be intimidated or harassed at their house of worship," spokesperson Dora Pekec said. "The mayor-elect has discouraged the language used at last night’s protest and will continue to do so."

Here's where it gets heated: Pekec added that "sacred spaces should not be used to promote activities in violation of international law." When pressed, Mamdani's team clarified this specifically targeted NBN's "promotion of settlement activity beyond the Green Line" (i.e., Judean and Samarian settlements, which the UN and most countries deem illegal under international law).

NBN, founded in 2002, has helped over 80,000 Jews immigrate to Israel, including to communities in Judea and Samaria.

Critics like Mamdani (a democratic socialist with a history of pro-Palestinian activism) argue this indirectly supports occupation. Supporters counter that aliyah is a Jewish right of return, not "settler recruitment," and accuse Mamdani of equating all olim with extremists. Mamdani's comments have drawn sharp backlash from Jewish leaders already wary of his election win (he beat moderate Andrew Cuomo amid low turnout).

The Republican Jewish Coalition called it "tone-deaf," while some progressives praised the nuance. NBN declined comment, but the ADL urged Mamdani to focus on protecting synagogues, not critiquing aliyah.

This is hradly Mamdani's first brush with controversy on Israel: He's supported BDS elements and called for cutting NYPD ties to ICE, alarming NYC's Jewish community (which makes up ~9% of the population). These are just three 'small' examples of his vicious Jew and Israel hatred, which he makes no attempt to hide.

As mayor starting January 2026, his approach to rising antisemitism (up 300% post-Oct. 7) will be scrutinized. But if this the direction he is heading in, it's time for New York's Jews to take notice.