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Mamdani attempts to counter critism over his anti-Israel rhetoric

Mamdani attempts to counter critism over his anti-Israel rhetoric


Mamdani attempts to counter critism over his anti-Israel rhetoric

NEW YORK — Mayor Zohran Mamdani debuted a plan Tuesday to combat antisemitism and hate crimes against Jewish people in New York City, apparently in an attempt to counter critics who see his steadfast denunciations of Israel as antisemitic.

The strategy includes increased security funding for synagogues, an increased focus on folding Jewish history into public school education, and a pledge to highlight important Jewish cultural and religious sites in the mayor's day-to-day governance of the city.

Mamdani said the overarching goal of the initiative was to “confront the scourge of antisemitism now and in the future," noting that Jewish people make up only 12% of the city's population but are the victims of around half the city's reported hate crimes.

Mamdani, a Democrat and the city's first Muslim mayor, has constantly accused the Israeli government of committing genocide in Gaza which has led to criticism that his heated rhetoric around the conflict has made Jewish people feel unsafe in the city.

Mamdani faced a barrage of criticism during his campaign last year after he declined to disavow the phrase “globalize the intifada,” a slogan some see as a call to violence against Israeli civilians.

He has also faced questions over a decision in June to skip an annual parade honoring Israel, which has long been a must-attend event for politicians in the city.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dedicated a portion of an address at the United Nations last week to assailing Mamdani, accusing him of spreading lies about Israel and calling him “the antisemitic mayor of New York.”