Mayor Mamdani's Antisemitism Plan Criticized for Omitting Zionism, Definition of Hate
Critics argue the mayor's new initiative, developed with an anti-Zionist group, fails to adequately define anti-Jewish hate and ignores the role of anti-Zionism.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is set to unveil his administration's plan to combat antisemitism, but sources familiar with the initiative say it will not include a formal definition of anti-Jewish hate or acknowledge Israel as a Jewish state. The plan, reportedly developed with the anti-Zionist group Jews for Racial & Economic Justice, has drawn criticism from those who believe it falls short of addressing the growing issue.
Sources briefed on the plan described it as "underwhelming," noting it will include $1 million allocated for security measures across all places of worship, not solely synagogues. It also incorporates several requests from the City Council that were previously agreed upon during budget discussions, such as establishing a Title VI coordinator for New York City schools and arranging field trips to the Jewish Heritage Museum.
However, the plan, spearheaded by Mamdani and his antisemitism czar, Phylisa Wisdom, both of whom are described as outspoken critics of Israel, is not expected to address Zionism or provide a definition for antisemitism. "I think the idea they listened to various groups is a good thing," one source commented, while also pointing out the plan's failure to address how anti-Zionism is used as a justification for antisemitism, extending beyond overt hate crimes to issues in schools and employment.
One Jewish lawmaker criticized the omission, stating, "Zionism is not a political ideology, [the] majority of Jews are Zionists and it’s a core part of their religious and ethnic identity." Wisdom, according to reports, informed lawmakers that the plan would focus on hate crimes based on their place of origin rather than "political ideology."
Further criticism has been leveled at the allocated security funding, which some lawmakers deem insufficient. "It’s a negligible drop in the bucket," one legislator stated. "I think the whole thing is fluff. It’s just a whole lot of nonsense. The $1 million in security is a laughable amount." Mamdani's office has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the plan's details and the criticisms it has faced.