The Anti-Defamation League (ADL), an organization dedicated to combating antisemitism, has announced a significant initiative aimed at monitoring the policies and actions of Zohran Mamdani, the newly elected mayor of New York City. Mamdani, who has made history as the first Muslim and individual of South Asian descent to assume leadership in the nation's largest city, is entering a political landscape that includes a substantial Jewish community of over 1 million residents.
In a groundbreaking move, the ADL has decided to set up a special project that will track the Mamdani administration’s policies, particularly those that may affect the safety and security of the Jewish community. This initiative follows Mamdani's critical stance on Israel and its actions in Gaza, raising concerns among some Jewish leaders. Additionally, the ADL has introduced a citywide tip line to report incidents of antisemitism within New York.
During an interview on NPR's Morning Edition, Jonathan Greenblatt, the CEO and national director of the ADL, elaborated on the motivations behind this initiative. He acknowledged that about a third of Jewish New Yorkers voted for Mamdani, yet emphasized the importance of representing the concerns of those who did not support him. Greenblatt stated, “We want to ensure that our community fully understands what’s happening so we can hold him accountable to his campaign promises, including serving all New Yorkers, particularly Jewish ones.”
Greenblatt pointed out that many in the Jewish community are troubled by Mamdani’s statements regarding Israel, including his declaration of intent to order the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a future visit to New York. Netanyahu faces allegations of war crimes concerning the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which heightens the sensitivity around this issue. When asked about his views on Israel as a Jewish state, Mamdani expressed support for a state that grants equal rights.
Greenblatt argued that while Americans are entitled to criticize Israeli policies without being labeled antisemitic, Mamdani's rhetoric raises valid concerns. He accused Mamdani of applying a double standard regarding Israel, noting that the mayor-elect has not similarly addressed human rights issues in other countries.
The ADL's initiative not only includes close monitoring of personnel policies and programs but also aims to establish a tip line for Jewish New Yorkers to report any incidents of antisemitism they may encounter. Greenblatt clarified that this initiative is not an invitation for conspiracy theories regarding Mamdani but rather a proactive step to track real incidents of discrimination to ensure law enforcement can respond appropriately.
Greenblatt condemned the calls from certain Republican lawmakers, such as Rep. Andy Ogles of Tennessee, for a federal investigation into Mamdani's citizenship status, emphasizing that such actions are rooted in prejudice. Mamdani, a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Uganda, deserves protection from attacks based on his ethnicity and faith, which Greenblatt described as repugnant.
This move to monitor a single elected official is unusual for the ADL. When asked if such scrutiny has been applied in the past, Greenblatt noted, “We’ve certainly never had an elected official like this before.” He highlighted the ADL’s previous criticisms of the Trump administration, which took various forms, including opposing the nomination of Paul Ingrassia, a lawyer with connections to antisemitic extremists.
In response to questions about whether the ADL is applying a double standard in monitoring Mamdani, Greenblatt stated, “This isn’t inherently pejorative. It’s simply saying that in a moment of crisis like we’ve never had before, we’re going to be paying very close attention.” As the ADL embarks on this monitoring initiative, the implications for Jewish community safety and the political landscape of New York City will undoubtedly unfold in the coming months.
