New Jersey councilwoman to Zohran Mamdani: You are the mayor – act like it! - opinion

A New Jersey councilwoman, Hillary Goldberg, publishes an open letter to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, accusing him of fueling an antisemitism crisis by revoking the IHRA definition and an executive order protecting Jewish constituents. She cites a recent attack at Central Synagogue and demands he act as mayor rather than commentator.

In an open letter published as an opinion piece, New Jersey councilwoman Hillary Goldberg addresses New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, accusing him of using his position to prosecute Jews and Israel. She criticizes his first acts in office, specifically revoking the IHRA definition of antisemitism and an executive order by former Mayor Eric Adams that directed the NYPD and Law Department to improve protection for people going to pray. Goldberg argues that these actions made it easier for antisemites to target Jews by using the word 'Zionist' instead of 'Jew.' She cites a recent attack at Central Synagogue on Friday night, where a man disrupted services, struck a 63-year-old Jewish woman, spat on and head-butted a 65-year-old security guard, and damaged property. She states that Jews worldwide already need police protection while praying, and that a woman was attacked inside the shul on Mamdani's watch. Goldberg accuses Mamdani of defending 'globalize the intifada' and says that Jews remember the intifada as a time of buses exploding, restaurants, cafes, families, blood, bodies, and fear. She argues that the distinction between anti-Zionism and antisemitism is collapsing on Jewish bodies, and that when someone says 'Zionist,' they mean 'Jew.' She calls on Mamdani to listen to Jews who are angry with him, including those who hear 'intifada' and remember what it actually looked like, and to act as a leader rather than a commentator.