Actor Ari’el Stachel, known for his work in theater as an Arab-Jewish performer, has raised alarms about the growing threat of antisemitism in New York City, particularly among progressive circles. In an interview with MSNBC host Katy Tur earlier this week, Stachel revealed that he now feels “uncomfortable” admitting his Jewish heritage, a sentiment rooted in the fear that his identity could place him in danger given the rising antisemitic sentiment within the base of his mayoral candidate, Zohran Mamdani.
Stachel, who is the son of an Israeli father and a Yemeni immigrant mother, described his growing unease with openly identifying as Jewish, especially in public spaces. His concerns were further amplified by an incident in which he felt anxious about revealing his background to a Palestinian woman at a local bodega. This experience, he said, highlighted the pervasive and often unacknowledged hostility that can exist within certain political circles, even in places that are otherwise considered progressive.
Stachel’s discomfort is not only personal but also political. He argued that Mamdani, a democratic socialist and the Democratic Party’s nominee for New York City mayor, has not gone far enough in confronting antisemitism within his support base or in the city at large. In an Instagram video posted last month, Stachel called on Mamdani to explicitly name and condemn antisemitism, warning that it is being disguised as a form of justice and that attacks on Jews are being celebrated as a righteous response to the Israeli government.
“What’s frightening is this: in some circles, antisemitism isn’t recognized as hate. It’s framed as justice,” Stachel said in his video. “Attacks against Jews aren’t condemned. They are celebrated, seen as a righteous response to a government miles away, which makes it all the more dangerous. It’s disguised as virtue. And I know you don’t want to lead a city where people feel like that.”
A recurring issue in Mamdani’s campaign is the controversy over his refusal to denounce the phrase “globalize the intifada,” which has been associated with violent rhetoric against Israelis and Jews worldwide. This stance has drawn widespread criticism from Jewish groups and political opponents, who argue that it enables a dangerous form of antisemitism under the guise of political activism. Stachel’s comments add to the growing concern that some progressive voices may be complicit in or at least tolerant of antisemitic narratives, even as they advocate for social justice.
While Stachel remains open to working with Mamdani, he insists that any collaboration must be predicated on clear and unequivocal condemnation of antisemitism. He is advocating for a cultural shift in New York City, where he believes the Jewish community must be both acknowledged and protected. His call for explicit action against antisemitism comes at a time when tensions between progressive politics and Jewish concerns are increasingly in the spotlight. The broader implications of this issue extend beyond just New York City, raising questions about how Jewish communities are perceived and valued in the context of progressive activism across the United States.
In the wake of Stachel’s comments, Mamdani’s campaign has been contacted by Fox News Digital for comment. The actor’s concerns, however, reflect a broader anxiety across the Jewish community about the rising presence of antisemitic rhetoric in political discourse, even within groups that are traditionally seen as progressive. As the New York City mayoral election approaches, the debate over how to address antisemitism in progressive circles will likely remain a central issue in the campaign, with Stachel’s voice serving as a powerful reminder of the stakes involved.