We always knew who Zohran Mamdani was.
But for those who held out hope that the activist might somehow change once entrusted with governing New York City, his stunning video attacking Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should end any doubt.
Mamdani campaigned on the ridiculous promise that he would arrest Netanyahu if he came to New York, a pledge he never had the legal authority to fulfill. When reality finally caught up with his rhetoric, he could have acknowledged the obvious and moved on.
Instead, seemingly embarrassed by the limits of his own hubris, the TikTok mayor did what he does best: he recorded a video.
And what followed was extraordinary.
Using the platform and prestige of the Mayor of New York City, Mamdani delivered an inflammatory, one-sided indictment of Israel. He repeated grave accusations as settled fact, cited Gaza casualty figures without distinguishing civilians from Hamas terrorists and other combatants, and invoked allegations of starvation without acknowledging disputed claims, Hamas’s role or the enormous complexities of delivering aid in a war zone.
There was no meaningful context. No balance. No recognition that the mayor of New York has responsibilities very different from those of a street activist.
Just more demonization, for the umpteenth time.
For anyone who still believed the responsibilities of office might temper the anti-Israel activist, those two minutes answered the question.
The mask is off.
Then he crossed an even more dangerous line.
Asked what those angry about Netanyahu should do when he arrives in New York, Mamdani answered: “I think one of the bedrocks of our city is protest.” He went on to invoke the Constitution and the First Amendment.
Who is he fooling?
Mamdani knows exactly what these demonstrations have too often become. Since October 7, New Yorkers have watched anti-Israel protests descend into venomous antisemitic rhetoric, harassment and disorder. Jewish students have been bullied and blocked from parts of their own campuses. Synagogues, Jewish institutions and neighborhoods have been targeted and terrorized. Masked pro-Palestinian protesters have screamed “globalize the intifada” while bringing their rage directly into Jewish communities.
This is not some movement Mamdani has observed from a distance.
He knows it intimately. He has identified with it, marched alongside it and championed its cause. Now he occupies City Hall, commands one of the most powerful political megaphones in America and is using it to embolden that same movement, while wrapping his appeal in the legitimacy of the mayor’s office.
That is not leadership. It is shockingly reckless.
And it potentially carries legal consequences. If a Jewish New Yorker is assaulted or injured, or Jewish property is damaged amid protests the mayor publicly urged people to join despite knowing their propensity for violence and disorder, lawyers can undoubtedly examine whether City Hall bears responsibility.
The First Amendment protects peaceful protest, just as it protects Mamdani’s right to express his own views, however objectionable we may find them. But constitutional freedom does not erase accountability. A mayor who knows the danger, raises the temperature anyway and rallies people into the streets must also answer for how he uses the extraordinary power and influence of his office.
Because Mamdani is no longer merely an activist with a bullhorn.
He is the mayor.
And with that title comes an obligation to understand that his words carry consequences far beyond the applause of the political movement that brought him to power.
On Thursday, that climate of fear became even more palpable. In broad daylight on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, a Jewish man and an Asian man were stabbed in separate attacks now being investigated as possible hate crimes. According to the NYPD, the attacker shouted “Allahu Akbar” during both assaults.
At a moment when Jewish New Yorkers are already confronting profound anxiety and alarming antisemitism, their mayor should understand the enormous responsibility of his words. This is precisely the moment to lower the temperature, demonstrate restraint and reassure a frightened community.
Instead, Mamdani is adding to its fear.
Mamdani promised to be the mayor of every New Yorker and to protect them regardless of their differences. After this video, that pledge rings as hollow as the campaign promise he was forced to abandon.
Another promise made. Another promise broken.
This time, however, the consequences are not merely political.
New York’s Jewish community has every reason to fear for its safety.
Chaskel Bennett is a Jewish communal leader, writer and advocate who serves on the boards of several nonprofit organizations.
The views expressed in this letter are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of YWN. Have an opinion you would like to share? Send it to us for review.
(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
15 Responses
Please let’s not pretend we didn’t see right through him way before all this. There’s no shock, there’s no surprises, there’s nothing new. He’s the same today as during his campaign. Too bad all the dumb Bernie Sanders Jews voted for him
The problem is that the ‘dumb Bernie Sanders Jews’ don’t even regret voting for this mamzer.
This mamdani Amoleikite must immediately be denaturalized & deported to Uganda.
G-d Bless Prime-Minister Bibi Netanyahu.
G-D Bless President Donald Trump.
The issue is have is that maybe you should direct your tefilos upwards to shamayim and ask ribno shel olam for mercy. NYC is now Berlin in the late 1930s. There were many terrible programs throughout history against jews. We need to ask hakodash Baruch Hu to have rachmonos on us. Those that choose to say are putting their life in their hands. I have it to good..how can I take my wealth.. others that are leaving with shirts on their back seeing the writing on the wall. Dont complain about the mayor as he was elected by millions of jew hating NYers. Its time to choose your money or your life. Hopefully you will choose wisely.
Protecting the Jews and killing the Israelies is nothing new. Iran does it. All arab countries did it at one point in time. It is not the best way to curb antisemitism but it is consistent and not a mask.
FELLOW JEWS! they might have the 1st amendment but we have the 2nd. APPLY NOW
Really comparing one US mayor to 1930s Berlin? If it was the White House full of mamdanis maybe then you could make the comparison. And there’s a decent chance the next one will look like that but come on not this one
One does not need to be a Navi (and I don’t claim to be one) to see Hashem’s message: Wake up New Yorkers! New York is Galus, just like Berlin 100 years ago. I’m sorry to deliver the shocking news, but it’s true. Time to make Aliyah. As a bonus, imagine the positive impact you could have on Israel.
Completely agree with Marc from NY, obviously, only Hashem can save us from this mamzer. And that doesn’t preclude us from doing what we are supposed to do, which is to denounce him, seek options to denounce his incitement, his repeating Hamas’ propaganda and serving as their mouthpiece. Words are nice, but we need action also. Yidden! Nowhere it says we need to be a punching bag and a sitting duck!! Rise for yourselves!
N
Let’s not all go crazy. The religious community is growing very very fast. We will register everyone to vote and defeat these lefty meshgoyim. No one should panic. Don’t believe these media reports. No one in Boro park is being attacked. It’s safer than it was fifty years ago. Don’t fall these fake statistics that count every remark in line as an attack. Slowly we will increase. We need to get involved in making more Shidduchim. There are tons of single girls in areas like Lakewood. And tons of single guys in bp and Willy. Let’s get to it. Mamdani will be history. Chareidim will increase in America and Israel and things look good.
@Why am I wasting my time says:
One would have to be a navi sheker, not a real navi, to say what you claim.
Hashem sent us into galus and He will redeem us from galus, as we pray thrice daily.
It is actually forbidden to have all Jews – or even only a large group of Jews – move to E”Y before the galus has ended with Mashiach’s coming.
The writer does have a point that the Mayor’s words could have more influence. But to make it seem as if this is some uncovered secret is absurd. He was always against the idol’s leader and never made a secret of that. What actually matters, though, is that the Mayor has always condemned acts and messages of hatred against Jews in the city he runs.
Just register to vote. Simple
@Hakatan
My dear friend, I have good news for you… It’s not too late to extract yourself from your obsession.
While you may have started with good intentions, you have become so warped that you take every opportunity you can to twist something into an Antizionist rant. I don’t like Zionism much myself, but you’re unhealthily obsessed. It’s obvious. You spin every YWN article into an antizionist thing. At times, you even defend nutjobs like NK or the guy who put graffiti on the memorial for the killed IDF female soldier, saying he did her a chesed because kol kibudah bas melech P’nimah… (Does that not sound a bit off to you???) And now, the fact that you even HINT at defending this rasha Mamdani because he, “has always condemned acts and messages of hatred against Jews in the city he runs” is shocking. Appalling. I’m assuming you’re defending him because you like him in a sense for his anti-Israel views. You should be ashamed. What would your Rabbeim say of your writing? Or your Rav? Have you showed them your writings? Despicable. Disgraceful. And you know it.
Again, I’m not into the medinah at all either, but you don’t have to go on and on and on with your talk of the “idol.” Every single article on YWN, no matter what topic it is, you think to yourself, “Oh look at that! I can use this as an opportunity to spew some more about the idol!” We are all very tired of your banter.
Just curious… I’m assuming your young children have already been educated by you about evil zionist idolatry. Correct? Seeing as this is the all-encompassing dibrah you have in your own made up idol-like religion (That G-d has bestowed upon you the duty to educate the velt about evil Zionists).
You’ve crossed a lot of lines… And you may continue to do so…. But it’s not too late for some introspection and reflection. Perhaps have a talk with your Rav or your Rabbeim from yeshiva (Many of whom btw attended the rally in DC after October 7th– fun fact).… I’m sure they could set you straight.
I challenge you to have the guts to respond to me on this forum about what your rabbeim would tell you about your extreme viewpoints and what they would say after reading your nonsense. If you’re man enough, you’ll answer that directly.
I give you a bracha that you should find peace of mind and do the right thing.
Hatzlacha