New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has sparked anger among Jewish leaders after sharply attacking the pro-Israel lobby AIPAC, describing its supporters as “monsters” and accusing the group of spending “millions of dollars of dark money” to “turn us against each other.”
The remarks drew fierce criticism from Jewish organizations and rabbis in New York, where communal leaders have repeatedly warned of a worsening antisemitism crisis. Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz of Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun in Manhattan published a lengthy Facebook post after Mamdani’s comments, accusing the mayor of inciting hatred against Jews and pro-Israel New Yorkers.
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Mamdani at the event where he made the remarks against AIPAC
(Photo: AP Photo/Ryan Murphy)
“A few days ago, Mayor Mamdani incited hatred against people like me,” Steinmetz wrote, quoting Mamdani’s speech: “Now is the time of monsters. These monsters take many forms today. In those who fund… bad faith attacks… those who would rather spend far more on political contributions than they would ever be made to pay in taxes.”
Steinmetz said Mamdani’s message cast AIPAC and its supporters as enemies of democracy and as backers of genocide.
“In other words, Mamdani is accusing AIPAC of being a monster that undermines democracy, supports genocide and wants to divide Americans,” the rabbi wrote, according to the New York Post. “This is pure incitement. It inspires people like Elias Rodriguez,” he added, referring to the suspect accused of killing two Israeli Embassy staffers in Washington, “to take violent action against AIPAC and its supporters.”
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Antisemitism in New York at record high: Pro-Palestinian activists step on an Israeli flag in New York, October 7, 2025
(Photo: Michael M. Santiago / Getty Images / AFP)
Steinmetz said he personally supports AIPAC and argued that Mamdani’s remarks targeted millions of New Yorkers who back the same policies promoted by the organization.
“Mamdani is inciting hatred against people like me,” he wrote. “Mayor Mamdani, you are talking about me. About millions of New Yorkers who support exactly the policies AIPAC promotes. You are demonizing them. And you are the one inciting New Yorkers against each other in order to gain power.”
The rabbi warned that Mamdani’s language was especially dangerous at a time of heightened antisemitic incidents in the city.
“New York already has an antisemitism problem,” Steinmetz wrote. “At this very moment, you are pouring fuel on the fire. I shudder to think what will happen next. But you will be responsible for it.”
The Simon Wiesenthal Center also condemned Mamdani’s remarks, calling them appalling and racist in nature.
“The claim that Jewish political participation is inherently suspicious, illegitimate or secretly manipulative is appalling,” said Jim Berk, CEO of the Simon Wiesenthal Center. “It is the same old story, retold in new language.”
The Anti-Defamation League’s New York and New Jersey office also issued a sharp statement demanding that Mamdani apologize.
“Referring to members of the Jewish community who advocate for issues important to them as ‘monsters’ using ‘dark money’ is shockingly offensive and unacceptable for a mayor who claims to represent all New Yorkers,” the ADL said.
Mamdani, a democratic socialist and longtime critic of Israel, has previously drawn criticism from Jewish groups over his positions on Israel and Zionism. His latest remarks, critics said, crossed from political criticism into rhetoric that portrays Jewish civic involvement as sinister and dangerous.