Zohran Mamdani, the Socialist New York state representative who is the Democratic nominee for mayor, drew criticism from the American Jewish Committee.
AJC said it expresses “alarm” and is “deeply troubled” by Mamdani’s “problematic rhetoric as it relates to Israel and Jews” and asked him to “change course.”
The nonprofit noted that it doesn’t endorse political candidates but is “compelled to speak out when public figures use rhetoric or endorse policies that harm Jews.”
It urged Mamdani to “engage in dialogue and consultation with organizations and segments of the mainstream New York Jewish community.”
“By continuing to prioritize anti-Zionist synagogues and groups, Mamdani ignores the perspectives and concerns of the vast majority of Jewish New Yorkers,” it said.
The nonprofit noted that Mamdani, who has said that he would have Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrested if the premier visits New York City, repeated his charge that Israel has committed “genocide” in Gaza in remarks at last week’s mayoral debate.
“This charge is unequivocally false and dangerous, has not been proven in any international court and gives fodder to those who continue to use Israel’s self-defensive actions as an excuse to threaten and attack Jews,” the AJC stated.
“Calling Israel’s actions genocide cheapens the word, undermines justice for actual genocides happening in the world and fuels antisemitism by spreading misinformation, fanning the flames of division in New York communities that continue to reel from the effects of the Oct. 7 attack and the resulting war,” it added.
AJC also said that Mamdani’s efforts to question Israel’s existence as a Jewish state are “deeply offensive.”
“The continued singling out of Israel in this way is damaging to the majority of Jewish New Yorkers, who are proudly Zionist and deeply connected to Israel,” it said.
“Mamdani’s professed concern for the well-being of Israelis and Palestinians would be more credible if he were to advocate for the disarmament of Hamas, which would fundamentally contribute to advancing peace in the region, and the fulfillment of the 20-point peace plan endorsed by dozens of countries around the world,” the AJC said.
