Mamdani’s Netanyahu video fuels debate over meaning of antisemitism - opinion

Mayor Zohran Mamdani's recent video, where he labeled Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a "war criminal" and "architect of a horrific genocide," has ignited a fierce debate among Jewish leaders and the public. The two-and-a-half-minute video, which went viral, prompted prominent rabbis and Jewish figures to condemn Mamdani's rhetoric.

Rabbi Joshua Davidson of Temple Emanu-El, in an open letter to the mayor, stated, "Rhetoric that may not be antisemitic in intent can still be antisemitic in effect, as yours has been." This sentiment echoes a framework previously articulated by Lawrence Summers, then Harvard president, in 2002, suggesting that actions primarily critical of Israel can have antisemitic consequences.

The latest controversy marks a tense period in the relationship between Mamdani and the pro-Israel Jewish community. Mamdani has been a vocal critic of Netanyahu since his mayoral campaign in 2025, leading to boycotts of events by Jewish leaders. His use of the word "monsters" to describe the pro-Israel lobby AIPAC last month also drew criticism from some Jewish supporters.

What distinguishes this incident is its timing, occurring shortly after a Jewish man was stabbed near a synagogue on the Upper West Side. While eyewitnesses reported the attacker yelled "Allahu akbar" and he is being charged with hate crimes related to both victims, it remains unclear if Mamdani's video directly inspired the attack. This has divided critics, with some, like the Anti-Defamation League's Jonathan Greenblatt, suggesting Mamdani's worldview is antisemitic, while others focus on his anti-Israel rhetoric making Jews feel unsafe.

“

Rhetoric that may not be antisemitic in intent can still be antisemitic in effect, as yours has been.