Nearly 800 rabbis from across the nation released an open letter Wednesday condemning what they see as Democratic NYC mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani’s “dangerous” rhetoric about Israel and Zionism.

A letter signed by 788 individuals, predominantly from outside New York, has stirred debate due to the involvement of several prominent New York City rabbis. Among them are Joshua Davidson of Temple Emanu-El and David Gelfand of Temple Israel. The letter criticizes politician Mamdani for allegedly inciting antisemitism by accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza and initially refraining from denouncing the phrase “globalize the intifada.” While Mamdani has expressed support for Israel’s existence, he contends it should not be solely a Jewish state.

The letter, facilitated by the Jewish Majority organization led by Jonathan Schulman, a high-ranking executive at the conservative-leaning American Israel Public Affairs Committee, appeals to Americans who value peace and equality. The rabbis urge citizens to engage in the democratic process to support candidates who reject rhetoric deemed antisemitic and anti-Zionist, and who affirm Israel’s right to exist peacefully.

In their call to action, the rabbis also encourage interfaith and community partners to join the Jewish community in denouncing this rhetoric, emphasizing the importance of ensuring Jews can live securely and with dignity.

As the letter emerged during a mayoral debate, a representative for Mamdani—who identifies as Muslim and is a vocal advocate for Palestinian rights—did not provide an immediate response to the controversy. The letter has become a focal point in the ongoing political discourse.

Mamdani has strongly refuted claims that his views contribute to antisemitism. He has pledged that, if elected mayor, he would prioritize combating antisemitism and other forms of hate, proposing a significant increase in funding for hate crime prevention programs.

In the wake of Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, Mamdani has maintained that Israel’s actions in Gaza amount to genocide, referencing findings by a United Nations commission. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, over 65,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israel in the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

For a time on the campaign trail, Mamdani declined to condemn the phrase “globalize intifada” while saying he didn’t personally use it. Later on, amid backlash, he said he would discourage use of the phrase.

Originally Published: October 22, 2025 at 11:14 PM EDT