Hundreds of Rabbis Condemn Mamdani's Anti‑Zionism

An open letter titled “A Rabbinic Call to Action: Defending the Jewish Future,” published by JewishMajority.org and signed by reports ranging from about 650 to 880 rabbis, urges Americans to support candidates who reject antisemitic and anti‑Zionist rhetoric and affirm Israel’s right to exist in peace and security. The rabbis warned that electing Democratic Socialist frontrunner Zohran Mamdani would imperil “the safety and dignity of Jews in every city,” citing his refusal in interviews to explicitly condemn calls to “globalize the intifada,” his reluctance to say Hamas should relinquish arms and leadership in Gaza, and statements they characterize as denying Israel’s legitimacy or alleging “genocide.” The letter quotes Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch saying such rhetoric “delegitimizes the Jewish community and encourages and exacerbates hostility toward Judaism and Jews,” and Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove calling Zionism and Jewish self‑determination inseparable from Jewish identity. Mamdani, who drew criticism from Democrats and said he would arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he came to New York, later attempted to clarify his remarks at a mayoral debate. The rabbis say normalized anti‑Zionist rhetoric poses real community harm and must be rejected.