Mamdani 'didn't say much' when asked about Jew-hatred, says lone rabbi at mayor's event for Staten Island clergy

During a closed-press meeting with 40 Staten Island religious leaders, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani reportedly offered an "inadequate response" when questioned about antisemitism by Rabbi Gerald Sussman of Temple Emanu-El. Rabbi Sussman, the sole rabbi present, stated that he told the mayor, "You’re upset about people buying property in Israel, but they’re interested because they feel unsafe here." Mamdani suggested addressing antisemitism through joint projects, which Sussman believes would not be effective. While the mayor's office called it a "roundtable discussion," Rabbi Sussman noted Mamdani "didn’t say much in response." The meeting was convened by Pastor Victor Brown to introduce the mayor to influential faith leaders in Staten Island, a borough that did not vote for him.