New York, New York, Jewish Groups Say Mamdani’s Antisemitism Plan Fails to Address Anti-Israel Rhetoric

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s office unveiled an antisemitism strategy on Tuesday. According to Jewish Telegraphic Agency reporting, several liberal Jewish organizations praised the plan for strengthening security at Jewish institutions, expanding Holocaust education, and celebrating Jewish New Yorkers. Jewish Insider described it as the nation’s first municipal plan of its kind, according to officials.

The city said it would immediately designate $1 million for physical security at vulnerable nonprofits, including synagogues, a measure that protects places of worship and community life (Psalm 82:3). The administration also allocated $6.4 million to expand grants under its Partners Against the Hate initiative, bringing the total for security and prevention efforts to $7.4 million, according to Jewish Insider. The plan also directs $2 million toward completing the Queens Holocaust Memorial and $2.5 million to the Center for New Jewish Culture.

The 35-page strategy drew criticism from some Jewish groups over its treatment of Israel. In a joint statement, the UJA-Federation of New York, the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, the local American Jewish Committee, and the New York Board of Rabbis said the plan fails to address rhetoric that demonizes and delegitimizes Israel, according to JTA. Jewish Insider reported that the strategy does not address hate directed at Israel. Neither report describes a government response to that criticism.

Phylisa Wisdom, executive director of the mayor’s office to combat antisemitism, described the strategy as an important milestone, according to JTA. The plan was modeled in part on the national strategy to combat antisemitism released by then-President Joe Biden in May 2023. Like that approach, it does not adopt a single definition of antisemitism. It acknowledges several, including the definition of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. Jewish Insider reported that the strategy does not adopt a formal definition of antisemitism, a description that differs in emphasis from JTA’s account of the multiple definitions the plan acknowledges.

Jewish Insider also reported a dispute over the strategy’s cover, which features a photograph of Congregation Shearith Israel. The congregation said it was not consulted or informed about the image’s use.

Mayor Mamdani said Jews, who make up 12% of the city’s population, account for about half of all reported hate crimes, according to Jewish Insider.