Former NY Governor Warns of Rising Antisemitism 25 Years After 9/11

Twenty-five years after the September 11th attacks, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is sounding the alarm about a surge in antisemitism within the city. He notes that while Jews constitute about 10% of New York's population, they have been the target of over half of the verified hate crimes in the city. This reality, Cuomo explains, leads many New York Jews to question their safety in a city they helped build.

Cuomo argues that the problem extends beyond the mere existence of antisemitism to a growing willingness to justify it. He describes antisemitism as a political tool that can be rationalized or condemned selectively based on ideology and party affiliation. While criticizing the Israeli government is not inherently antisemitic, he asserts that collectively blaming Jews for the actions of a government thousands of miles away constitutes pure antisemitism, not legitimate criticism.

He calls for genuine leadership that is unafraid to speak difficult truths, even when politically inconvenient. Cuomo also touches upon the broader threat of terrorism and Middle Eastern instability, recalling that two ISIS supporters were charged in March with attempting to detonate explosives during protests outside City Hall.

Despite increased security around the 9/11 anniversary and Jewish holidays, Cuomo stresses the importance of discussing these issues openly without fear of political backlash. He concludes with a stark warning: antisemitism has never been eradicated and behaves like a virus that can lie dormant but reemerge when societal defenses weaken. The lessons from the Holocaust and terror attacks, he states, are not just to mourn the dead or live in fear, but to remain vigilant, recognize warning signs, and refuse to be indifferent.