Shock and hurt: Jewish New Yorkers react to Zohran Mamdani team's hollow response to antisemetic protest at Manhattan synagogue

"Scores of protestors converged upon the synagogue, where Nefesh B'Nefesh, an organization that assists Jewish immigration to Israel, held a scheduled event. Many protestors wearing face masks held Palestinian flags and chanted messages such as Globalize the Intifiada and Death to the IDF, per numerous online videos. The incident prompted an NYPD response, with online videos showing officers actively separating the demonstrators from a smaller group of counter-protesters."

"But the strong protest, marked with death threats and antisemitic language, was met with a lackluster response from Mamdani, according to many Jewish leaders in NYC. It was particularly appalling to many observers, given that Mamdani, during the campaign, had publicly stated that terms such as globalize the intifada were not something he would use, and would discourage others from using. He claimed he had recognized the harm such rhetoric causes Jewish New Yorkers."

"Mamdani's transition team did not respond to amNewYork's request for comment on Sunday, but the below statement came from his spokesperson, Dora Pekec, immediately following Wednesday night's protest: The Mayor-elect has discouraged the language used at last night's protest and will continue to do so. He believes every New Yorker should be free to enter a house of worship without intimidation, and that these sacred spaces should not be used to promote activities in violation of international law."

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered outside Park East Synagogue during a scheduled Nefesh B'Nefesh event, waving Palestinian flags and chanting slogans including Globalize the Intifada and Death to the IDF. The protest included death threats and antisemitic language and prompted an NYPD response that separated demonstrators from counter-protesters. Many Jewish leaders and local observers condemned the protest and criticized Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani's response as weak. Mamdani had previously said during his campaign that he would discourage such rhetoric and recognized its harm to Jewish New Yorkers. His spokesperson reiterated disapproval but did not directly address protesters' rhetoric, prompting further outrage.

Read at www.amny.com