More than 650 US rabbis issue warning against Mamdani, anti-Zionism in politics

More than 650 rabbis across the US have signed an open letter warning about New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani and anti-Zionism in politics.

“We cannot remain silent in the face of rising anti-Zionism and its political normalization throughout our nation,” says the letter, titled “A rabbinic call to action: Defending the Jewish future.”

The statement cites Mamdani’s defense of the phrase “Globalize the Intifada,” which he has since said he would “discourage”; his refusal to acknowledge Israel’s existence as a Jewish state; and his repeated accusations against Israel of genocide in Gaza.

“We will not accept a culture that treats Jewish self-determination as a negotiable ideal or Jewish inclusion as something to be “granted.” The safety and dignity of Jews in every city depend on rejecting that false choice,” the letter says.

“We call on all Americans who value peace and equality to participate fully in the democratic process in order to stand up for candidates who reject antisemitic and anti-Zionist rhetoric, and who affirm Israel’s right to exist in peace and security,” the letter says. “Now is the time for everyone to unite across political and moral divides, and to reject the language that seeks to delegitimize our Jewish identity and our community.”

Signatories include rabbis at some of New York City’s leading synagogues — Rabbi Joshua Davidson of Temple Emanu-El; Rabbi David Gelfand of Temple Israel of the City of New York; Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz of Kehilath Jeshurun, and Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch, president of the New York Board of Rabbis and Senior rabbi of Stephen Wise Free Synagogue.

The letter was organized by the Jewish Majority advocacy group.