Blakeman accuses Mamdani of “betraying” Jewish New Yorkers

NEW YORK- Nassau County Executive and Republican candidate for Governor Bruce Blakeman has ripped New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s decision to repeal an executive order protecting Jewish New Yorkers and recognizing the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism.

Blakeman called the move a “direct betrayal of nearly one million Jewish New Yorkers.”

“Mayor Mamdani wasted no time showing New Yorkers exactly who he is,” Blakeman said. “His very first executive action as mayor was not to address crime, public safety, or quality of life — it was to repeal protections for Jewish people. At a moment of exploding antisemitism, Mamdani sent a message that Jewish concerns are negotiable and Jewish safety is optional. It’s indefensible.”

Local Jewish leaders shared their concerns with Mamdani’s decision.

“The Jewish Federation of Rockland County uses and advocates for the use of the IHRA definition of antisemitism and supported its adoption by the city with the largest Jewish population in the diaspora,” said Ari Rosenblum, CEO of the Jewish Federation and Foundation of Rockland County. “Any move to revoke this is both telling and unsurprising. Jewish communities in New York State call upon and expect the representatives they have elected to fulfill their stated commitments to safeguard and support our sisters and brothers in New York City, regardless of the actions of any single officeholder.”

Assemblyman Matt Slater (R,C-Yorktown) said that Mamdani’s repeal of the IHRA definition “marks a dangerous start to his tenure.”

“We must be prepared to protect our Jewish brothers and sisters from the ongoing rise of antisemitism that the Mayor’s actions are perpetuating,” Slater added.

The repealed executive order, issued by former Mayor Eric Adams, directed city agencies to use the IHRA working definition of antisemitism to identify, respond to, and raise awareness of antisemitic incidents across New York City. The order was widely recognized as a critical tool to ensure that antisemitic hate is taken seriously and addressed consistently, particularly as Jewish New Yorkers face historic levels of harassment, vandalism, threats, and violence across all five boroughs.

“We have kids afraid to wear yarmulkes,” Blakeman said. “We have synagogues needing police protection. We have Jewish New Yorkers wondering whether their city still has their back, and Mayor Mamdani’s answer was to rip away one of the strongest tools the city had to fight antisemitism.”