Mayor Mamdani, facing criticism over views on Israel seen by some as fostering antisemitism, unveiled plans to expand educational efforts and beef up security at synagogues as part of a new “Strategy to Combat Antisemitism” report released by City Hall Tuesday.
The report’s release was accompanied by a video on social media outlining the Mayor’s Office to Combat Antisemitism’s efforts — which includes new funding streams, educational outreach like more school field trips to the Museum of Jewish Heritage and an allocation of $1 million towards extra security measures for synagogues and nonprofits.
“Our administration’s Strategy to Combat Antisemitism makes historic investments in securing Jewish cultural institutions and synagogues, increasing educational opportunities for young New Yorkers, and improving public awareness of Jewish history,” Mamdani said in a statement.
“Together, we will root out the scourge of rising antisemitism and build a city where Jewish New Yorkers are not only safe but celebrated.”
The issue of antisemitism has been fraught for the mayor. Mamdani’s vocal pro-Palestine stance is central to his political identity, and he’s faced intense criticism for his approach — though not enough to pose a real political risk to him. He’s been outspoken against the Israeli government, including by calling for the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who he’s described as a “war criminal” and the architect of a genocide.
Some Jewish groups and leaders say his posture fuels the growing surge of antisemitism in New York.
“While the Mayor’s plan has a number of positive elements, including some increased security funding for Jewish institutions and expanding proven programs, it fails to address a central issue that the Mayor himself has perpetuated: rhetoric that demonizes and delegitimizes Israel inevitably leads to the targeting of Jewish New Yorkers,” UJA-Federation of New York said of the mayor’s plan in a statement.
“Those who truly seek to address antisemitism must unequivocally reject such rhetoric and help ensure that Jewish New Yorkers are never made to feel suspect, excluded, or unsafe in their own city.”
Bend the Arc, a progressive Jewish organization that took part in a “listening tour” that preceded the report, applauded the plan.
“This report indicates the mayor is listening to Jewish New Yorkers — including those of us still working through difficult questions about what safety really requires — and responding to what he hears,” the organization’s CEO Jamie Beran said in a statement.
In that “listening tour,” with rabbis and other Jewish community leaders and organizations, some asked the mayor to tone down his anti-Israel rhetoric, arguing it could lead to violence against Jews in the city, MOCA’s director, Phylisa Wisdom said at a briefing on the report.
She added that all Jewish New Yorkers, regardless of their political views, should expect protections from the city.
MOCA was first formed under Mayor Adams last year amid a rise in hate crimes against Jewish New Yorkers. The office was established despite the existence of a similar Office of Hate Crime Prevention that was formed in 2019, also in response to a rise in antisemitic hate crime incidents. The office has three staffers, including its director, Phylisa Wisdom, and works closely with that previously-existing office.
“Antisemitism is a complex and persistent form of hate, and it cannot be addressed through a single program or agency,” Wisdom said in a statement. “This Strategy brings the full power of City government to the work of preventing hate, supporting survivors, protecting Jewish institutions, educating New Yorkers and celebrating Jewish life.”
Antisemitic hate crimes make up a disproportionate percentage of hate crimes overall and have risen by 8% so far this year as compared to last year, per NYPD numbers.