A prime New York Metropolis rabbi has issued a chilling now-viral warning after Zohran Mamdani’s mayoral win: The pol’s positions on Israel could “severely threaten Jewish security in all places within the metropolis.”
Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch delivered his blistering take on the unconventional extremist in a fiery sermon at his liberal Stephen Sensible Free Synagogue on the Higher West Facet on Friday.
Hirsch claimed Mamdani’s “opposition to Israel is existential.
“He believes that Israel has no proper to exist in any respect — as a Jewish state in any territory,’’ the Manhattan rabbi mentioned.
Hirsch, president of the New York Board of Rabbis, defined that he and different “distinguished and liberal” rabbis went with “open hearts and open minds” to a one-hour assembly with the then-candidate in August.
He mentioned they left horrified by his harmful positions on Israel.
All through the assembly, the rabbis’ moods “steadily darkened,” Hirsch mentioned.
“And our fears elevated.”
Mamdani, who based a controversial College students for Justice in Palestine chapter whereas in school, is a “dogmatic opponent” to the Zionist splendid, Hirsch mentioned.
“He’s not merely a critic of Israel,” mentioned the rabbi, who moved to Israel as a teen and served within the Israel Protection Drive.
“He doesn’t imagine in coexistence” or “two states for 2 peoples.”
Regardless of relentless accusations of antisemitism, Mamdani, a 34-year-old Muslim immigrant and supporter of the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions motion, captured one-third of Jewish voters within the metropolis to win the mayor’s race final week, in line with exit polls.
The mayor-elect has repeatedly refused to sentence the phrase “Globalize the intifada,” extensively seen as a name to violence, and espouses extremist positions indistinguishable from Israel’s “most implacable foes,” in line with the rabbi.
Hirsch in contrast the harmful ideology to that of terrorist teams Hamas and Hezbollah and their supporter Iran.
In the course of the non secular leaders’ assembly with Mamdani in August, safety was the main focus because the group expressed the “fears of New York Jews” if he have been elected.
The rabbi warned {that a} phalanx of safety alone can’t defend the Jewish group — solely a protected atmosphere can.
“You possibly can put 50 cops outdoors this constructing,’’ Hirsch advised his congregants. “If the general ambiance is hostile to Jews, it would severely threaten Jewish security in all places within the metropolis daily.
“And historical past has confirmed conclusively that what begins with Jews by no means ends with Jews. Town itself will develop into a lot nastier and far more violent,” he warned.
“And that’s the fundamental risk from the ideologically pushed anti-Zionism of Zohran Mamdani.”
Congregant Ronen Schwartzman advised The Put up on Sunday that he’s “proud” of his rabbi for “being vocal while you want it.
He’s very pro-Israel and never afraid to talk up — an enormous distinction to the Reform motion, who don’t at all times help” the Jewish state,’’ the person mentioned.
Some metropolis Jewish activists championed the “progressive” rabbi’s speech, too.
“He’s unafraid to talk the reality,” mentioned Israel activist Lizzy Savetsky on social media. “We’d like extra Jewish leaders like this.”
Mamdan’s camp didn’t instantly reply to a Put up request for remark.
