Jewish New Yorkers Rally Against Mamdani After Central Park Stabbings

Mamdani did not immediately address the attack, instead posting about taxes on millionaire property owners before later commenting on the incident.

By Shula Rosen

Hundreds of Jewish New Yorkers rallied on Sunday to protest what they described as Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s failure to respond forcefully to antisemitism following the stabbing of two men in Central Park, including one who was wearing a yarmulke.

The demonstration came after a man shouting “allahu akbar” allegedly stabbed a Jewish man and an Asian man in Central Park late last week.

Protesters said the attack reflected a broader increase in antisemitic incidents across New York City and called for Mamdani to be removed from office.

Fox News reported that Mamdani did not immediately address the attack, instead posting about taxes on millionaire property owners before later commenting on the incident. Demonstrators cited the response as evidence that city leaders were not adequately confronting antisemitism.

The rally was held on Amsterdam Avenue, near the location of one of Thursday afternoon’s stabbings. Among the speakers was Republican gubernatorial nominee and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman.

“There has been a darkness that has permeated over this city since January 1,” Blakeman told the crowd. “Darkness by the leadership, or the lack of leadership, of Mayor Mamdani, with the acquiescence of Gov. Hochul and so many others that will not condemn the anti-Jew rhetoric coming out of this mayor.”

“And now we’ve seen, first it was the Jews, now it’s the Asian Americans,” he added.

Rabbi Yosie Levine of the Jewish Center also criticized the mayor’s leadership.

“Today, every time the mayor speaks, we need the police to protect us,” Levine said.

Eric Goldstein, CEO of UJA-Federation of New York, urged the mayor to change course.

“Mayor Mamdani, stop fanning the flames of hatred and division,” Goldstein said. “The consequences are not abstract. They’re playing out on our streets.”

Mamdani has been an outspoken critic of Israel, supporting the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement, calling for the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over alleged war crimes and describing the pro-Israel lobbying group AIPAC as “monsters” representing “the status quo for immorality.”