Holding the Line: Fighting Hate, Not Fueling It

We can, and must, stand firm against antisemitism without crossing into fear or prejudice.

I don’t like Mamdani. I think his views cross into antisemitism, not just anti-Zionism. His statements about Israel’s right to exist – and about the Jewish nature of our homeland – are dangerous. The policies he endorses create conditions that could make Jews in New York more vulnerable to hate and violence.

Mamdani is both a Muslim and a democratic socialist. I have no issue with him being Muslim. My concern lies with his politics and the ideas that shape his worldview.

What I reject, however, is the claim that he will somehow turn New York into an ISIS state. There is nothing in his behavior or policies that suggests Islamist aspirations. Yes, he refuses to denounce Hamas, which I believe stems from antisemitism rather than from religious extremism.

Many of the concerns raised about Mamdani’s policies and attitudes toward Jews are legitimate. But the fear that he will impose “Muslim rule” or burka laws on New York is baseless and Islamophobic. We can strongly oppose his politics while rejecting bigotry toward Muslims.

I’m tired of seeing memes and cartoons that depict New York as “Islamized,” like images of the Statue of Liberty in a burka. That’s not vigilance – that’s prejudice.

Let’s keep standing up for Israel, Zionism, and the unbreakable bond between Jews, Torah, and our homeland. Let’s insist on the safety and dignity of Jews in New York and everywhere. But let’s not weaponize our fears into bigotry.

Protecting our community is essential. But how we protect it matters just as much. Opposing hate must never mean becoming hateful ourselves.