Mamdani rejects charge from Jewish leaders that his anti-Israel rhetoric incites violence against Jews

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has rejected accusations from Jewish leaders that his anti-Israel rhetoric incites violence against Jews. Following the stabbing of a Jewish man in Manhattan on Tisha B'Av, Mamdani stated on Friday that his comments, including calling the Israeli prime minister a "war criminal," are "critiques of a political leader, not of people of a specific faith or a religion or a background." He emphasized his responsibility to "keep every New Yorker safe." Jewish leaders, however, maintain that Mamdani's criticism of Israel fuels antisemitism, which has reportedly surged in New York City since he took office.