Zohran Mamdani tries to reassure Jewish voters in NYC worried about his ascendance

"Zohran Mamdani had arrived to greet approximately 60 people, at least half of them Modern Orthodox, who for the most part are more religiously observant than the progressives in Mamdani's base. Some guests, according to sources who spoke to CNN on condition of anonymity to discuss the private mid-August event, wondered if a potential Mamdani administration would stop dispatching the New York Police Department to stand watch at synagogues when needed. Mamdani, without hesitation, said he would provide the security."

"One of the attendees told him that their friend, a Jewish woman, had recently been harassed and called a slur while pushing a stroller down a city street. Mamdani told them he was sorry about what they had experienced and said he believed it wasn't helpful to either the Israeli or Palestinian causes if people supporting either side felt like they couldn't walk outside without fear."

"Mamdani is both a prominent and unapologetic critic of Israel as well as the front-runner to be the next mayor of New York, home to the largest Jewish population outside of Israel. Ever since his stunning victory in June's Democratic primary, Mamdani has built alliances with politically liberal Jewish officials while meeting with and listening to some of his most strident critics."

A private mid-August gathering in a Brooklyn home brought roughly 60 people, many Modern Orthodox, to hear Zohran Mamdani. Some guests worried a Mamdani administration might stop dispatching the NYPD to guard synagogues. Mamdani promised to provide that security and expressed sympathy after an attendee described a Jewish woman harassed on the street. He said fear of walking outside harms both Israeli and Palestinian causes. He reaffirmed support for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement while pledging to maintain police protection for the city's annual parade honoring Israel. Mamdani has built alliances with liberal Jewish officials while engaging critics amid rising antisemitic incidents.

Read at www.cnn.com