Israel Blasts Mamdani After Mayor Unveils Antisemitism Plan

“Until you stop the incitement and blood libels against the Jewish state, the State of Israel, which you do not recognize, antisemitism in New York City will only continue to rise,” Akunis said.

By United with Israel Staff

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani unveiled a sweeping plan Tuesday aimed at combating antisemitism and protecting Jewish New Yorkers, drawing an immediate rebuke from Israeli officials who accused the mayor of contributing to the hostility he is now pledging to confront.

The strategy includes additional security funding for synagogues and other houses of worship, expanded education about Jewish history in public schools, support for victims of hate crimes and efforts to highlight Jewish cultural and religious institutions across the city.

Mamdani said the initiative was intended to “confront the scourge of antisemitism now and in the future.”

“This is not only unacceptable, it’s something we all have an obligation to change. And City Hall will lead the way,” Mamdani said in a video announcing the plan. The mayor pointed to the disproportionate number of antisemitic hate crimes in New York, noting that Jews comprise roughly 12% of the city’s population but account for around half of its reported hate crimes.

The initiative, however, immediately drew criticism from Israeli officials who argue that Mamdani’s own rhetoric toward Israel has contributed to an increasingly hostile atmosphere surrounding Jewish New Yorkers.

Israel’s consul general in New York, Ofir Akunis, responded sharply to the announcement. “Money doesn’t buy values,” Akunis said. “Until you stop the incitement and blood libels against the Jewish state, the State of Israel, which you do not recognize, antisemitism in New York City will only continue to rise,” he added.

Akunis argued that a genuine campaign against antisemitism would require Mamdani to restore the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working definition of antisemitism, which Mamdani rescinded shortly after taking office. The IHRA definition includes several examples involving attacks on Israel that it says may constitute antisemitism depending on the context.

The dispute comes just days after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu used his address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York to launch an unusually personal attack on Mamdani.

“Mr. Mamdani, since you were elected mayor of this city, many Jews no longer feel safe in New York,” Netanyahu said, adding that Jewish New Yorkers had told him the city had changed.

Netanyahu accused Mamdani of spreading false allegations against Israel and sharply condemned the mayor for repeatedly accusing the Jewish state of genocide in Gaza.

“You falsely, repeatedly accuse Israel of genocide,” Netanyahu said. “You tried to stop me from coming here. You tried to silence me. Well, you can’t silence me. You can’t silence the truth.”

Netanyahu concluded that portion of his address with a direct rebuke: “Shame on you for distorting the facts, shame on you for inverting victim and aggressor, shame on you for spitting in the face of truth.”

Days earlier, Netanyahu had also accused Mamdani of supporting Hamas and inciting violence against Jews. Mamdani has denied those allegations and has condemned Hamas and the October 7 massacre.

The confrontation reflects a dispute that has followed Mamdani throughout his rise in New York politics. Mamdani has accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, supports the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement against Israel, and has repeatedly called Netanyahu a war criminal.

During his mayoral campaign, Mamdani also pledged to have Netanyahu arrested pursuant to an International Criminal Court warrant if the Israeli leader entered New York. He subsequently acknowledged that New York City lacks the legal authority to carry out the warrant, though he has continued to call for federal authorities to honor it.