Prominent New York City rabbis are raising concerns about the potential election of Zohran Mamdani as mayor, citing his positions on Israel as an 'unprecedented risk' to the Jewish community. Rabbis Ammiel Hirsch and Joshua Davidson, along with over 650 other religious leaders, have signed a public call to action warning that Mamdani's rhetoric and policy stances could intensify antisemitism in the city. They argue that Mamdani's opposition to Israel's existence, rather than just its policies, normalizes dangerous sentiments and threatens the safety of Jewish New Yorkers.

Mamdani, who has faced criticism for his support of sanctions against Israel and reluctance to condemn certain anti-Israel slogans, insists that his views are not rooted in religious bias and has pledged to protect Jewish residents if elected. The rabbis emphasize that their concerns are about his record and not his Muslim faith, urging open dialogue and accountability. Recent polling shows Mamdani leading the mayoral race by a significant margin, heightening the urgency of the debate within New York's diverse communities.