Ahead of Yom Kippur: Top Rabbi calls on Mamdani to apologize to Jewish New Yorkers

A large crowd of Jewish community leaders and residents gathered outside of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's residence to show their support for Israel and highlight the growing antisemitism in the city. This protest was sparked by a surge in attacks on Jews this summer, including a stabbing near a Manhattan synagogue and a disruption at the Great Refrom Synagogue in August.

Rabbi Benjamin Kraus of SAR explained that they were there to assert their presence in the largest Diaspora city, vowing not to leave. The protest's aim was to demonstrate that New Yorkers, Jews, and Zionists remain proud and unwavering, regardless of opposition. Some Ramaz Jewish school alumni and parents, who had a role in organizing the demonstration, viewed it as a political protest against Mamdani and even signed a petition to cancel it.

Mayor Mamdani responded positively to the protest, stating that they were welcome to hold a prayer rally or any form of expression outside his home. He also mentioned he would likely be elsewhere in the city during the event. The protest took place just prior to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's scheduled visit to New York City to address the United Nations General Assembly.

Mamdani had previously called for Netanyahu's arrest due to war crimes allegations in Gaza. When reporters questioned if he would join or advocate for protests during Netanyahu's visit, Mamdani affirmed that he never encouraged protests and that New Yorkers have the right to express themselves, respecting their First Amendment rights.