Israeli Consul Warns Against Violence After Mayor Denies Israel's Jewish Identity

Zoharan Mamdani, the mayor, reiterated his refusal to recognize Israel as a Jewish state. In response, Ophir Akunis, Israel's Consul General in New York, stated that Mamdani's recognition is unnecessary and emphasized that Israel's Declaration of Independence guarantees full equality to all its citizens since its founding. Akunis attributed the rise in antisemitism in the United States to ignorance and hatred toward the Jewish people. He warned that Mamdani's inflammatory rhetoric could lead to severe and violent actions against Jewish communities and Israelis living in New York City.