Israel's NY Consul Slams Mayor's Antisemitism Plan as Ineffective

Israel's Consul General in New York, Ofir Akunis, has sharply criticized New York City Mayor Eric Adams's new plan to combat antisemitism, calling it "missing" and counterproductive. Akunis argued that the plan, which primarily focuses on increasing security budgets for the Jewish community, fails to address the root causes of rising antisemitism.

In a statement and a social media post, Akunis asserted that Adams's rhetoric against the "Jewish State," which the mayor allegedly does not recognize as the homeland of the Jewish people, is a fundamental driver of antisemitism in the city. "Money can't buy values," Akunis stated, adding that until Adams ceases "incitement and blood libels" against Israel, antisemitism will continue to grow.

Akunis also pointed to the plan's omission of any mention of Israel or protests against it. He demanded that Adams's supporters stop chanting slogans like "From the river to the sea" and "Globalize the Intifada," condemn the October 7th massacre, and designate Hamas as a terrorist organization instead of supporting it.

The Israeli consul further criticized Adams for rescinding his support for the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's working definition of antisemitism on his first day in office, stating that a genuine fight against antisemitism requires adopting this definition.