New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Tuesday evening unveiled what the city described as the first municipal plan of its kind in the United States to combat antisemitism, with funding to secure houses of worship, expand Holocaust education and assist victims of hate crimes. However, the 35-page report makes no mention of Israel, the war in Gaza or protests against Israel. Nor does it examine whether such protests have spilled over into attacks on Jews.
According to the city, the budget for the Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes will rise to $29 million a year, up from $3 million previously. The funding is intended to combat hatred targeting all groups and is not earmarked entirely for fighting antisemitism. The plan also details $6.4 million in grants to organizations working on prevention and assistance for victims, as well as $1 million to improve security at houses of worship, including synagogues.
Zohran Mamdani presents plan to combat antisemitism
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It also pledges to expand student visits to the Museum of Jewish Heritage in Manhattan, invest $2 million to complete a Holocaust memorial in Queens and provide $2.5 million for a Jewish cultural center in Brooklyn.
Jews make up about one-tenth of New York City’s population, but accounted for more than half of the victims of hate crimes confirmed by police during the first eight months of the year. The number of antisemitic crimes rose 9% during that period. This month, a worshipper was attacked at Central Synagogue in Manhattan, while in July a Jewish man was stabbed outside a synagogue in the city.
In a video accompanying the report, Mamdani mentioned New York composer Leonard Bernstein and the iconic Katz’s Delicatessen, saying: “On Tuesday, the responsibility falls on us to care for and protect our Jewish neighbors, a responsibility that belongs to each and every one of us.”
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani
(Photo: AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
The omission of Israel drew criticism even before the report was released. During a briefing for elected officials, Republican Assemblyman Michael Novakhov told Phylisa Wisdom, head of the city’s Office to Combat Antisemitism, that “the primary source of antisemitism in the city right now is Mayor Mamdani.”
Amy Spitalnick, who heads a national Jewish organization, welcomed the practical measures but said the report should also acknowledge violence against Jews carried out under the guise of protests against Israel. The report also stops short of adopting an official definition of antisemitism.
The report was released five days after Netanyahu, speaking at the United Nations, called Mamdani “the antisemitic mayor of New York.” Mamdani responded that Netanyahu was spreading “baseless lies.”
Wisdom stressed that Jews who disagree with the mayor are also entitled to the city’s protection. Jewish and Zionist state Sen. Liz Krueger, who welcomed the plan, emphasized that Jews who support Zionism must also be free to express their views without fear.