Mamdani's Antisemitism Plan Funds Group Critical of Israel

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's comprehensive plan to address rising antisemitism in the city includes significant funding for an organization that partners with a group critical of U.S.-Israel ties. The $30 million initiative allocates $6.4 million to Partners Against Hate (PATH) for its mission to "enhance awareness and reporting of hate crimes."

PATH collaborates with six other organizations, including the Arab American Association of New York (AAANY). AAANY has previously been led by Linda Sarsour, a prominent critic of Israel and a former co-founder of the Women's March. This indirect funding connection has emerged as Mamdani's administration seeks to gain trust within Jewish communities regarding its commitment to combating antisemitism.

Antisemitic acts constitute a significant portion of hate crimes in New York City, accounting for approximately 9% of reported incidents in 2026. According to NYPD data, the city recorded a 16% increase in hate crimes in the first eight months of 2026 compared to the previous year. Specifically, hate crimes against Jewish individuals reached 181 incidents, with 131 classified as felony offenses during this period. Other targeted groups included those based on sexual orientation with 29 incidents and Muslims with 21 incidents.

Mamdani launched the $30 million plan earlier this month, emphasizing its role in protecting Jewish communities. "My administration has a responsibility to ensure New York City remains a place where Jewish New Yorkers can live their lives peacefully and safely, where they can walk down the street, enter their houses of worship and build their lives knowing that this city will stand with them," Mamdani stated in the strategy document.

The partnership between city-funded initiatives and AAANY is not new. In 2021, then-Mayor Bill de Blasio's administration provided a $3 million grant to PATH, which listed AAANY as a partner. A press release from that time stated that the "anchor organizations will work closely with the [Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes] and other city agencies to ensure a comprehensive, community-based approach to preventing hate crime."

However, AAANY has faced scrutiny for its advocacy against the state of Israel. Critics argue that this stance extends beyond its stated mission of combating racial prejudice. Since 2021, AAANY has reportedly directed over $223,000 to the New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY). The national CAIR organization has been the subject of controversy due to alleged ties to Hamas, and federal prosecutors identified it as an unindicted co-conspirator in a 2007 terrorism financing case.

AAANY has advocated for the U.S. to distance itself from Israel and has referred to Israel's actions in the ongoing conflict as a form of genocide. The organization also supported Mamdani's previous legislative effort, the "Not On Our Dime" bill, which aimed to restrict New York nonprofit donations to Israeli settlement activities, citing alleged violations of the Geneva Conventions.

Marwa Janini, AAANY's executive director, has urged the city to support a ceasefire in Gaza, citing humanitarian concerns. She stated, "The NYC City Council must pass a ceasefire resolution to end this U.S.-funded genocide and bring hope and stability to Gaza."

Critics, including groups like the Anti-Defamation League, have accused AAANY of attempting to delegitimize the state of Israel. In 2017, when Linda Sarsour was an executive director at AAANY, she expressed similar positions that the Anti-Defamation League stated it profoundly rejected, particularly her support for the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement.

Sarsour, a political ally of Mamdani, was previously removed from leadership roles in the Women's March due to allegations of antisemitism and associations with controversial figures. Her endorsement of Mamdani in his previous assembly bid and her support during his mayoral campaign highlight their long-standing relationship.

This development comes as Mamdani navigates concerns from some Jewish communities about his administration's efforts to combat antisemitism. The Mayor's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding concerns that ties to AAANY might undermine the broader goals of the antisemitism initiative.