Scott Feltman, a leading figure in the Jewish community, has raised serious concerns over the potential rise of Zohran Mamdani to mayor of New York City. Feltman, executive vice president of the One Israel Fund, emphasized the dangers associated with Mamdani’s past affiliations and recent rhetoric. He stressed that while the Jewish community is not against candidates from any faith, their alignment with groups like Hamas or Hezbollah is a major issue. Feltman pointed to a video of Mamdani at a New York mosque, where an Imam openly called for the death of Israeli soldiers and praised Hamas activities, which he believes has created significant alarm among Jewish residents.
Feltman also noted the alarming rise in antisemitic attacks in the city, expressing deep concern that Mamdani’s increasing influence could exacerbate this trend. He warned that the current climate of fear has already made Jewish residents wary of remaining in New York. Additionally, Feltman highlighted the recent incidents of violence against Israeli embassy staff and protesters in the United States, suggesting that Mamdani’s rhetoric could lead to more such attacks. He further criticized Mamdani’s initial reluctance to condemn the phrase ‘globalize the intifada,’ which is seen as a call for violence, and mentioned that while Mamdani has since walked back his stance, the damage has already been done.
Despite these concerns, Feltman acknowledged Mamdani’s ability to mobilize voters, referring to him as a ‘social media darling’ and praising his outreach efforts. However, he criticized the educational system, particularly at the university level, for its role in the rise of antisemitism. Feltman’s concerns are echoed by other Jewish leaders who warn of the potential impact of Mamdani’s victory on New York City’s safety and security. The Jewish community remains deeply divided on how to respond to these threats, with many advocating for increased security measures and greater political activism to prevent such outcomes.