880 Rabbis Condemn Anti-Zionism Following Mamdani Interview: A National Call to Action

Mamdani posts smiling photo with NYC imam tied to 1993 terror bombing

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

New York NY, nearly 900 rabbis from across America—specifically 880 as of 10 a.m. on October 23rd—have publicly signed an open letter titled “A Rabbinic Call to Action: Defending the Jewish Future,” condemning what they term the “political normalization of anti-Zionism.”

The letter, published by JewishMajority.org, was issued in direct response to comments made by New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee, during a Fox News interview where he appeared to dodge questions regarding Hamas.

The Core of the Controversy: Mamdani’s Comments

The rabbis’ open letter was catalyzed by Mamdani’s appearance on “The Story” with Martha MacCallum.

• When repeatedly pressed on whether he believed Hamas should lay down its weapons and relinquish control of Gaza, Mamdani initially avoided a direct answer.
• He stated he was focused on local issues, but regarding Israel and Palestine, “we have to ensure that there is peace and that is the future that we have to fight for.”
• He later told MacCallum, “I don’t really have opinions about the future of Hamas and Israel beyond the question of justice and safety.”

Mamdani, who is on the verge of becoming New York’s first Muslim mayor and identifies as a Shia Twelver Muslim, has also previously said he would arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he came to New York.

The Rabbinic Response: “We Cannot Remain Silent”

The collective of 880 rabbis stated they “cannot remain silent” as anti-Zionist rhetoric gains political traction.

They argue that when public figures “refuse to condemn violent slogans, deny Israel’s legitimacy, and accuse the Jewish state of genocide, they… ‘delegitimize the Jewish community and encourage and exacerbate hostility toward Judaism and Jews.'”

The signatories emphasized that Zionism, Israel, and Jewish self-determination are not merely political positions but “constituent building blocks and inseparable strands of my Jewish identity.”

The letter urges all Americans who value peace and equality to “reject antisemitic and anti-Zionist rhetoric” and “stand up for candidates who reject” such language.

Mamdani’s Clarification and Political Fallout

Mamdani later clarified his position at a New York City mayoral debate, stating he does believe Hamas should lay down its arms:

“Of course I believe that they should lay down their arms,” Mamdani said, explaining that calling for a ceasefire requires all parties to “cease fire and put down their weapons.”

Despite the clarification, he faced immediate political attacks from his opponents at the debate:

• Former Governor Andrew Cuomo (Independent) accused Mamdani of “stoking the flames of hatred” against Jews.
• Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa accused Mamdani of supporting a “global jihad” and claimed Mamdani’s rhetoric has made his own Jewish children feel unsafe.

Mamdani countered the accusations, saying he has never spoken in support of “global jihad” and that he was being attacked because he is close to becoming the city’s first Muslim mayor. Mamdani promised to be a mayor for all New Yorkers and help implement new public school lessons on Jewish history.

Local Leaders Among the Signatories

The 880 rabbis signatories include dozens of religious leaders from the Tri-State and Mid-Atlantic regions.

Note: The numbers reflect the named rabbis listed in the provided excerpt, not the total number of signatories from each state.

 

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