(The Center Square) — A national Jewish rights watchdog group has launched a “Mamdani Monitor” to keep a check on Mayoral-elect Zohran Mamdani’s incoming administration for antisemitism.
The New York-based Anti-Defamation League said the group will scrutinize Mamdani appointees and review the funding of organizations tied to the Israel-critical administration to gauge hostility to Jewish people. It also plans to set up a phone hotline to field complaints of antisemitism linked to the new mayoral administration.
Jonathan Greenblatt, ADL’s CEO and national director, said Mamdani has “promoted antisemitic narratives” and “demonstrated intense animosity toward the Jewish state that is counter to the views of the overwhelming majority of Jewish New Yorkers.”
“We are deeply concerned that those individuals and principles will influence his administration at a time when we are tracking a brazen surge of harassment, vandalism and violence targeting Jewish residents and institutions in recent years,” he said in a statement.
Mamdani, a 34-year-old Democratic socialist and Queens assemblyman, cruised to victory in Tuesday’s mayoral election after defeating former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa.
On the campaign trail, Mamdani promised to devote more resources to combat antisemitism in a city with the largest Jewish population outside of Israel. He reiterated those claims in his victory speech Tuesday night.
But Mamdani has also faced questions about his alignment with pro-Palestinian groups, criticism of the Israeli government, and his use of the phrase “globalize the intifada,” which has been linked to acts of violence against Jewish people. The mayor-elect was also blasted for posting a photo of him with Imam Siraj Wahhaj, who had links to the mastermind of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing.
Greenblatt also noted Mamdani’s previous support for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement against Israel and past rhetoric about Israeli soldiers. He said he expects Mamdani to live up to his campaign pledges to stand up against antisemitism in the city with the largest Jewish population outside of Israel.
“We will hold the Mamdani administration accountable to this basic standard,” said Greenblatt. “If New Yorkers experience antisemitism, where they work or where they worship or where they shop or where they socialize, tell us at ADL, and we will make sure that the authorities follow up.”
The New York Board of Rabbis echoed the ADL’s concerns about Mamdani’s rise to power. The rabbi group joined other leading NYC Jewish organizations in a joint statement Wednesday saying they “cannot ignore that the Mayor-elect holds core beliefs fundamentally at odds with our community’s deepest convictions and most cherished values.”
“We call on Mayor-elect Mamdani and all elected officials to govern with humility, inclusivity, and a deep respect for the diversity of views and experiences that define our city,” the groups said. “We will continue to confront, without hesitation, the alarming rise in antisemitism and hate crimes, and loudly call out any rhetoric or actions that delegitimize Israel or excuse antisemitism.”
