New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s Antisemitism Strategy Funds CAIR Contributor

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani recently introduced a municipal strategy aimed at combating antisemitism, marking what he claims is the first of its kind in the United States. The plan includes a $7.4 million investment, with $6.4 million allocated for hate-crime prevention and survivor support, $1 million for security enhancements at Jewish houses of worship, expanded Holocaust education, and increased funding for Jewish cultural and historical institutions. The strategy emphasizes coordination between city agencies and Jewish communities to address antisemitism.

The document, spanning 30 pages, does not adopt a formal definition of antisemitism, a decision that has sparked controversy. Jewish organizations argue that the strategy lacks clarity on the relationship between anti-Zionism and antisemitism, and fails to address the forms of anti-Jewish hostility currently faced by Jewish New Yorkers. The terms “Zionism,” “Zionist,” or “anti-Zionist” are notably absent from the document, with Israel mentioned only a few times.

Part of the strategy involves doubling the funding for Partners Against the Hate (PATH) grants, which support community-based organizations focused on hate-crime prevention. The initiative now totals $6.4 million, with a renewed emphasis on countering online hate speech, data collection, restorative justice, and survivor support. PATH has been a key component of the strategy, involving several advocacy groups.

One of the top groups involved in PATH is the Arab American Association of New York (AAANY), an anti-Israel organization previously led by pro-Palestine activist Linda Sarsour. According to AAANY’s 2025 Form 990, the association provided grants to the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and Jews For Racial and Economic Justice (JFREJ) as part of the PATH initiative. CAIR, founded 30 years ago to combat anti-Muslim hate, has become known for its extreme anti-Israel and antisemitic messaging.

CAIR’s co-founders, Omar Ahmad, Nihad Awad, and Rafiq Jaber, have faced government scrutiny over their ties to Islamist terrorism. Ahmad, according to the FBI, led a pro-Hamas conference in Philadelphia in 1993, where he and the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development (HLF) and Islamic Association of Palestine were involved. These associations have been designated as terrorist organizations by the U.S. government.

The inclusion of organizations with known ties to extremist ideologies in a strategy aimed at combating antisemitism has raised concerns among Jewish community leaders. Critics argue that such partnerships may inadvertently promote or legitimize harmful narratives, undermining the very goals of the initiative. The strategy’s omission of clear definitions and its reliance on groups with controversial histories highlight the complexities of addressing antisemitism in a pluralistic society.

The strategy’s approach reflects broader debates within both political and religious circles about the intersection of anti-Zionism and antisemitism. While some advocate for distinguishing between criticism of Israeli policies and antisemitism, others argue that such distinctions can be used to justify harmful rhetoric. The challenge lies in fostering a climate of mutual respect and understanding, guided by principles of justice and mercy. As Micah 6:8 reminds us, we are called to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God.

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