New York Mayor's Antisemitism Plan Sparks Outrage for Omitting Israel

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has unveiled a 35-page plan to combat antisemitism, aiming to ease tensions with the city's large Jewish community. The plan includes significant practical steps, such as increasing the annual budget for combating hate crimes from $3 million to $29 million, renewing a task force to secure synagogues and community centers, expanding Holocaust education in public schools, and displaying the contributions of Jewish New Yorkers on public Wi-Fi kiosks. However, the report notably omits any mention of Israel, the Middle East conflict, or the surge in antisemitic attacks linked to pro-Palestinian protests.

Adams released a video emphasizing his commitment to the safety of Jewish residents, stating, "It is our responsibility to uphold and protect our Jewish neighbors." He highlighted the historical contributions of Jewish individuals and institutions to New York City. The city administration also stated it would use existing tools to combat antisemitism without adopting a specific official definition.

The plan's release follows a sharp rebuke from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the UN General Assembly, who accused Adams of failing to ensure Jewish safety in New York and of praising individuals who support Hamas. Adams retorted that Netanyahu was using baseless lies to justify his actions against Palestinians.

The omission of Israel and its connection to rising antisemitism has drawn strong criticism from New York elected officials and Jewish organizations. State Assemblyman Michael Novakhov called Adams "the main source of antisemitism in our city," while Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz suggested Adams's rhetoric regarding Israel emboldens antisemitic acts. Amy Spitalnick, CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, praised the plan's measures but noted the report's focus on the far-right overlooks rising violence against Jews linked to anti-Israel protests.

According to the NYPD, antisemitic hate crimes in New York City have increased by 9% this year, with overall hate crimes rising by 16%. While Jews constitute about 12% of the city's population, they represent roughly half of all reported hate crime victims.