What are Mamdani’s policy proposals that could directly impact Jewish New Yorkers? |
NEW YORK — New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s incoming administration marks a sea change for the US city’s Jews, with leading rabbis calling Mamdani a “danger” and warning of his “uncompromising anti-Zionism.”
Mamdani is a longtime anti-Israel activist who has identified as an anti-Zionist, and much of the concern stems from Mamdani’s rhetoric against Israel, with Jewish leaders fearing the administration could foment hostility against Jews. Polls have found that a majority of Jews believe Mamdani will make the city less safe for them.
Concerns have continued to mount in recent weeks as Mamdani’s staff comes together ahead of his taking office on January 1. An ADL report released this week found that many of Mamdani’s appointees have ties to anti-Zionist activist groups and one appointee resigned last week after old antisemitic comments she made online surfaced.
But what policies has Mamdani vowed to enact that could directly affect Jewish New Yorkers? The mayor-elect has focused on affordability and housing — issues that will affect Jews like other New Yorkers — but also outlined proposals that have a more immediate impact on Jews related to education, security, the city’s annual pro-Israel parade and arresting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Here are some of his policy proposals that could affect New York City’s Jews.
Jewish New Yorkers have repeatedly expressed concern about how Mamdani might handle anti-Israel protests at sensitive sites such as synagogues and Jewish neighborhoods.
Mamdani has vowed to protect Jews, but the mass shooting of Jews in Australia last week resurfaced those fears, with some critics pointing to Mamdani’s past defense of the phrase “Globalize the intifada” as contributing to threats against Jews. Mamdani has said he would “discourage” the protest slogan, but has not condemned it.
Mamdani has outlined plans for a Department of Community Safety that will prioritize “prevention-first, community-based solutions” for combating crime, such as investing in mental health services, reducing homelessness and “addressing hate violence.”
Mamdani’s campaign said the department will oversee an 800% increase in funding for hate violence programs, from $3 million to approximately $26 million.
Mamdani has also said he will