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Mamdani condemns ‘disgusting’ antisemitic graffiti in one of first tweets as New York mayor
Some pro-Israel Jewish activists say his words are too little, too late
November 6, 2025 16:54
Some pro-Israel Jewish activists say his words are too little, too late
November 6, 2025 16:54In one of his first social media posts as mayor of New York, Zohran Mamdani has taken to X to condemn an antisemitic graffiti attack on a yeshiva in Brooklyn.
Two red swastikas were painted on a pillar and a window of Magen David Yeshiva in the early hours of Wednesday morning, just hours after it was announced that Mamdani had won the mayoral race.
"This is a disgusting and heartbreaking act of antisemitism, and it has no place in our beautiful city,” he wrote. “As Mayor, I will always stand steadfast with our Jewish neighbors to root the scourge of antisemitism out of our city.”
Mamdani’s campaign divided the Jewish community in New York and beyond, with what some labelled his anti-Israel rhetoric leading to allegations of antisemitism.
While he received support from certain parts of the Jewish community – including celebrities such as Mandy Patinkin, some progressive rabbis, and Satmar rabbi Moishe Indig – many Jews stood vehemently against him.
Just weeks before polls opened, over 1,000 rabbis from across America signed an open letter titled A Rabbinic Call to Action: Defending the Jewish Future, opposing the 34-year-old democratic socialist.
This is a disgusting and heartbreaking act of antisemitism, and it has no place in our beautiful city. As Mayor, I will always stand steadfast with our Jewish neighbors to root the scourge of antisemitism out of our city. https://t.co/W3jVlmr1rU
— Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@ZohranKMamdani) November 5, 2025
In the end, a CNN exit poll found that 31 per cent of Jewish voters supported Mamdani, while 63 per cent voted for independent candidate Andrew Cuomo and three per cent backed Republican Curtis Sliwa.
While Mamdani’s condemnation of the graffiti was welcomed, some pro-Israel Jewish figures accused him of hypocrisy.
Independent Jewish journalist, David Collier replied: "This is so twisted. You can't support calls to globilise the Intifada… And then pretend to cry tears of sorrow when someone does.”
Jewish activist Hilary Hawn added: “Antisemites feel emboldened by his win.
“Had it said ‘free Palestine’ or ‘globalise the intifada’ instead of a swastika, it would be ignored or chalked up to ‘protest’ despite having the same negative impact on the Jewish community.”
Their sentiments seemed to be echoed by Bob Moskovitz, executive coordinator for Flatbush Shormrim Patrol, who told The New York Post: “In light of the results from the election last night, everybody is super sensitive and we’re afraid that this is going to be the new norm, where these people are going to be emboldened that think that they can get away with it.”
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