More than 650 rabbis warned on Wednesday that electing Democratic Socialist leader Zoharan Mamdani would “jeopardize the safety and dignity of Jews in every city”, according to a letter published by the Jewish majority, refusing to condemn the “globalisation of the intifada”, denial of Israel’s legitimacy and claims of “genocide”.
In an open letter titled “A Rabbinic Call to Action: Defending the Jewish Future,The signatories said they “cannot remain silent in the face of rising anti-Semitism and its political normalization across our country,” adding that when public figures like Mamdani refuse to condemn violent slogans, deny Israel’s legitimacy and accuse the Jewish state of genocide, they “delegitimize the Jewish community and encourage hostility toward Judaism and Jews.” Are and increase.”
Quoting Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch, president of the New York Board of Rabbis, the letter warned that such rhetoric “delegitimizes the Jewish community and encourages and perpetuates hostility toward Judaism and Jews,” crossing the line from policy debate to community harm.
Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove of the Park Avenue Synagogue, quoted in the letter, said that Zionism and Jewish self-determination are “inseparable aspects” of Jewish identity. He said, “Zionism, Israel, Jewish self-determination – these are not political priorities or issues for partisan conversation.” “They are components of my Jewish identity and are inseparable… Accepting me as a Jew but asking me to check my concern for the people and state of Israel at the door is a futile proposition and offensive.”
The rabbis wrote, “We will not accept a culture that treats Jewish self-determination as a negotiable ideal or Jewish assimilation as something ‘to be granted’.” “The safety and honor of the Jews in every city depends on rejecting that false alternative.”
The letter urges Americans “who value peace and equality” to stand for candidates who reject anti-Semitism and anti-Zionist rhetoric and affirm Israel’s right to live in peace and security.
It also appealed to interfaith and communal partners to “stand with the Jewish community in rejecting this dangerous rhetoric and affirming the rights of Jews to live safely and with dignity.”
The warning, issued shortly before Wednesday night’s debate, came as early voting approached, with signatories stressing the urgent need to combat the normalization of anti-Semitism in public life.
The letter concluded, “Now is the time for all to unite across political and moral divides and reject language that seeks to delegitimize our Jewish identity and our community.”
Joshua Klein is a reporter for Breitbart News. Email him at jklein@breitbart.com. Follow him on Twitter @joshuaklein,
