New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is facing significant condemnation from prominent Jewish leaders and advocacy organizations following comments he made regarding the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) during a campaign rally on June 18. The remarks, delivered in Brooklyn, have sparked accusations of antisemitic rhetoric and incitement.
"Mamdani is accusing AIPAC of being a monster that subverts democracy, supports genocide and wants to divide Americans. This is pure incitement." — Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz, Senior Rabbi of Kehilath Jeshurun synagogue.
During the rally, where he appeared alongside Senator Bernie Sanders and other progressive candidates, Mayor Mamdani sharply criticized AIPAC. He accused the pro-Israel lobbying group of extensively funding efforts to influence elections and support candidates who align with its specific priorities. In his speech, Mamdani stated, “Now is the time of monsters.” He then added, “In AIPAC, for whom the only thing more frightening than democracy being allowed to run its course is an end to genocide and Netanyahu’s wars.”
These statements swiftly drew widespread condemnation from various Jewish leaders and organizations across the nation. Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz, the senior rabbi of Manhattan’s Kehilath Jeshurun synagogue, was among the first to voice strong objections, accusing Mayor Mamdani of employing inflammatory language that could exacerbate the ongoing challenges of rising antisemitism.
Rabbi Steinmetz articulated his concerns on social media, writing, “Mamdani is accusing AIPAC of being a monster that subverts democracy, supports genocide and wants to divide Americans. This is pure incitement.” He further elaborated that such rhetoric could foster hostility towards Jewish organizations and their supporters. “Well, I’m an AIPAC supporter. And Mamdani is inciting hatred against people like me,” Rabbi Steinmetz stated, emphasizing the personal impact of the mayor's words. He also referenced the 2025 killing of two Israeli Embassy staff members in Washington, D.C., as an example of how rhetoric targeting Jewish institutions can lead to dangerous real-world consequences. “New York already has an antisemitism problem. Right now, you are pouring fuel on the fire,” he added.
The Simon Wiesenthal Center also issued a strong rebuke of Mayor Mamdani’s remarks. Jim Berk, the Chief Executive Officer of the center, highlighted that accusations portraying Jewish organizations as uniquely manipulative or driven by a desire for power echo long-standing antisemitic tropes. Berk stated in a public statement, “The suggestion that Jewish political participation is inherently suspect, illegitimate, or secretly manipulative is abhorrent.” He pointed out that while many advocacy groups engage in lobbying and political activities, criticism directed specifically at Jewish organizations often assumes a distinct and troubling character. “But when Jewish organizations alone are portrayed as uniquely divisive or corrosive, we cross into territory where old prejudices take root,” Berk explained.
Similarly, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) called for an apology from Mayor Mamdani. In its statement, the ADL contended that describing members of the Jewish community as “monsters” who wield “dark money” transcends the boundaries of ordinary political disagreement. The organization argued that such language invokes conspiratorial themes historically associated with antisemitic rhetoric. Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the ADL, characterized the mayor’s comments as “deliberate, dangerous and disgraceful.”
This controversy unfolds amidst a period of heightened public debate surrounding Israel, the ongoing conflict in Gaza, and the broader U.S. policy in the Middle East. Mayor Mamdani has been a vocal critic of Israeli government policies and publicly supports the boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement targeting Israel, according to reports from the New York Post. He has previously accused Israel of engaging in a “genocidal war” in Gaza and has advocated for legal action against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
As of the time of publication, Mayor Mamdani’s office has not publicly responded to the wave of criticism. This dispute further intensifies ongoing tensions surrounding Israel-related politics within New York City, particularly as candidates continue their campaigns in anticipation of upcoming primary elections. The incident underscores the sensitive nature of discussions concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the potential for political rhetoric to be interpreted as inciting hatred or prejudice.
