Jewish Dems Statement on New York City Mayoral Primary

WASHINGTON – Commenting on the New York City mayoral race, Halie Soifer, CEO of the Jewish Democratic Council of America (JDCA), released the following statement:

“Since New Yorkers went to the polls in the Democratic mayoral primary, we have heard a range of concerns about Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani. Mr. Mamdani won the Democratic primary by listening to and engaging a wide range of New Yorkers. Now, we hope he will listen to Jewish New Yorkers and seek to address their legitimate concerns.

“Specifically, Jewish Americans are deeply concerned about Mr. Mamdani’s support for the boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel, his refusal to recognize Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state, and his defense of the phrase ‘globalize the intifada,’ which we view as a dangerous call to violence against Jews. Intifadas have included the indiscriminate murder of Israeli and American civilians in waves of suicide bombings and other violence. The phrase ‘globalize the intifada’ should be unequivocally condemned, as it provides a green light to terror.

“If Mr. Mamdani wants to be mayor of the city with the largest Jewish population of any city in the world, he must represent all New Yorkers and ensure their security, safety, and well-being. Jewish Americans deserve to be heard on these critical issues, and it’s important for Mr. Mamdani to develop a greater understanding of – and plan to combat – rising antisemitism, including how anti-Israel rhetoric can manifest in antisemitic violence, as we recently saw in Washington, D.C., and Boulder, Colorado. 

“At a time of rising antisemitic violence in the United States, which has caused the deaths of three people in the past month alone, it is incumbent on Mr. Mamdani to demonstrate greater understanding of the legitimate security concerns of American Jews. We have requested a meeting with Mr. Mamdani, where we will convey the concerns that Jewish Americans – in New York City and beyond – have about his rhetoric and positions on Israel.

“We also condemn the hatred directed at Mr. Mamdani by Republican elected officials, including President Trump’s threats to arrest and deport him. This is a threat to Mr. Mamdani’s freedom and rights, and a clear violation of the rule of law. Jewish Americans understand that our security and safety depends on the preservation of democracy and equal protection under the law, and we hope Mr. Mamdani will demonstrate a clear understanding of that as well.”

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