Key facts
- Over 700 pro-Israel rabbis signed an open letter demanding Mayor Zohran Mamdani retract his "monsters" comment about Aipac.
- Mamdani likened Aipac's actions to "monsters" using "millions in dark money" to "turn us against one another."
- The rabbis stated Mamdani's rhetoric invokes antisemitic tropes about Jewish power and manipulation.
- Mamdani defended his comments, citing Antonio Gramsci and the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
- Mamdani-backed candidates won three incumbent congressional seats and five local seats in recent NYC primaries.
More than 700 pro-Israel rabbis have signed an open letter demanding New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani retract his recent remarks where he likened the pro-Israel lobbying group Aipac to "monsters." The letter, organized by The Jewish Majority, stated that Mamdani's rhetoric is "dangerous, unacceptable and beneath the office he holds" and invokes antisemitic tropes about Jewish power and manipulation.
Mamdani made the comments at a rally with Senator Bernie Sanders on June 18, accusing Aipac of using "millions in dark money" to "turn us against one another." He later defended his remarks, stating he was quoting Italian Marxist philosopher Antonio Gramsci and that his words were not solely directed at Aipac but at all those preventing a "new world." He also linked his criticism to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, referencing the killing of Palestinians.
The rabbis' letter characterized Mamdani's rhetoric as an "act of dehumanization" that furthers antisemitism. The Anti-Defamation League also condemned Mamdani's comments and supported the rabbis' letter.
This controversy follows a significant electoral success for candidates endorsed by Mayor Mamdani, who won three incumbent congressional seats and five local seats in recent New York City primaries. Notable victories included Brad Lander defeating Representative Dan Goldman and Darializa Avila Chevalier unseating Representative Adriano Espaillat. These wins have been interpreted by supporters as a shift in the Democratic Party's stance on Israel policy.