Behind Closed Doors: What Rabbis Told New York's Mayor

Ten New York rabbis at a closed meeting urged Mayor Zohran Mamdani to consider the impact of his statements about Israel on the Jewish community's safety. Participants were divided: some asked to soften rhetoric, others to stop criticism, and still others to act cautiously. The trigger was the mayor's speech calling Netanyahu a 'war criminal.'

This week, ten New York rabbis held a closed meeting with Mayor Zohran Mamdani at City Hall, organized by the city's Office for the Prevention of Antisemitism. They urged the mayor to consider the impact of his public statements about Israel on the safety of the Jewish community amid rising antisemitism. The meeting lasted about an hour and included rabbis from different streams of Judaism. Participants expressed varied positions: some asked to soften rhetoric, others to completely stop criticizing Israel, while a third group defended the mayor's right to criticize but insisted on caution and consistent condemnation of Hamas. Rabbi Rick Jacobs stated that 90% of the changes depend on the mayor and proposed a constructive approach. Rabbi Yonatan Liner noted that the mayor's words have real consequences and increase tensions. The cause for concern was Mamdani's speech in which he called Netanyahu a 'war criminal.' The mayor, a former pro-Palestinian activist, expressed gratitude for the frankness and said he takes the issues seriously. Executive Director Phyllis Wisdom called the meeting an 'open, positive, and constructive conversation.'

Behind Closed Doors: What Rabbis Told New York's Mayor