New York City Leaders Denounce Anti-Israel Protest Outside Synagogue Led by Holocaust Survivor

New York City Leaders Denounce Anti-Israel Protest Outside Synagogue Led by Holocaust Survivor

A protest erupted outside a Manhattan synagogue on Wednesday night, delivering a wave of anti-Israel messages. The demonstration received sharp criticism from city leaders, including Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani. His previous anti-Israel remarks raised concerns within New York’s Jewish community even before his election.

The protest, titled “No Settlers on Stolen Land,” took place outside Park East Synagogue, which hosted an event organized by Nefesh B’Nefesh. This nonprofit assists American Jews in immigrating to Israel. Protesters called for an ‘intifada’—a term often perceived as inciting violence against Jews—and shouted for the deaths of the Israel Defense Forces. Their chants included statements like “We don’t want no Zionists here,” amplifying fears of rising antisemitism.

Governor Kathy Hochul condemned the demonstration, labeling it a “blatant attack on the Jewish community.”

“No New Yorker should be intimidated or harassed at their house of worship,” Governor Hochul stated. She added that what transpired at Park East Synagogue was a direct affront to the values of New York, asserting that “Hate has no place in our city.”

Dora Pekec, spokesperson for Mayor-elect Mamdani, indicated that he discouraged the protests’ language and condemned intimidation. Pekec emphasized that Mamdani believes everyone should feel safe entering houses of worship without fear of harassment, and that sacred spaces must not become sites for actions that violate international law.

During the Democratic mayoral primary, Mamdani did not immediately condemn the phrase “globalize the intifada,” arguing against censoring speech. However, he later indicated he would guide others to avoid such phrases after discussing the matters with Jewish New Yorkers.

Meanwhile, outgoing Mayor Eric Adams, who is currently visiting Israel, spoke against the protests upon his return to New York City. He committed to visiting Park East Synagogue and expressed the importance of respect for all houses of worship, stating, “Screaming vile language outside any of them isn’t ‘protest’; it’s desecration. It shows how sick and warped these agitators have become.”

Rabbi Elchanan Poupko, host of The Jewish World podcast, captured the protest in videos that garnered over two million views. “Antisemites have showed up outside Park East synagogue and are chanting for intifada,” Rabbi Poupko remarked. He pointed out the poignant reality that the synagogue’s rabbi is a Holocaust survivor, echoing the horrors associated with past atrocities against Jewish populations.

Rabbi Arthur Schneier, the senior rabbi of Park East Synagogue, has a compelling personal history. Born in Vienna in 1930, he escaped the Holocaust in Budapest, Hungary before arriving in the U.S. in 1947. His past adds a deeply emotional layer to the current tensions surrounding his place of worship.

The term ‘Kristallnacht,’ translating to the ‘Night of Broken Glass,’ refers to the violent anti-Jewish riots that occurred on November 9-10, 1938. These events marked a severe escalation of Nazi Germany’s campaign against Jews, a history that weighs heavily in contemporary discussions of antisemitism.

New York City has witnessed a notable increase in antisemitic incidents since the October 7 Hamas attacks, exacerbating tensions across the city. Spurred protests have spread to various venues, including Columbia University.

Zohar Mamdani’s campaign for mayor had promised to protect Jewish New Yorkers, even amidst considerable pushback from Jewish leaders and competition from political opponents, such as former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa. In the weeks leading up to the election, over 650 rabbis nationwide, including many from New York City, signed a significant letter urging action against the escalating discrimination faced by Jewish communities, specifically citing Mamdani’s criticisms of Israel.

Mamdani has attracted significant scrutiny due to his stances on Israel, which include support for sanctions against the Israeli government and reluctance to denounce Hamas during interviews. His political trajectory has roots dating back to his college years, where he established a chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine.

Rabbi Joshua M. Davidson from Temple Emanu-El expressed his concerns clearly, stating, “Anyone who has paid attention over the course of the last two years knows that such rhetoric has sparked a rise in antisemitism and violence against Jews.” His assertion underscores the potential consequences of political discourse on community safety.

Andrew Mark Miller contributed to this report.