Mamdani’s nuanced plan offers a roadmap to tackle antisemitism – and reignites criticism of the mayor

Critics noted that the plan does not discuss Israel; others praised it for not conflating Jews with the state of Israel

When the New York City mayor, Zohran Mamdani, announced the city’s first-ever municipal strategy to address antisemitism – a nuanced, multi-pronged approach ranging from greater security measures for synagogues to an increased focus on Jewish history in public school education – critics were quick to note what the 33-page document does not mention at all: Israel.

Israel has played an outsized role in Mamdani’s campaign and since his election, with the mayor standing by his years-long support for Palestinians, and frequently describing Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a war criminal.