Jewish Leaders Urge NYC Mayor Adams to Temper Israel Criticism to Protect Local Jews

On Monday, ten Jewish community leaders met for an hour with New York City Mayor Eric Adams in a session convened by the city's Office to Combat Antisemitism. The leaders expressed concern over the impact of Adams' public statements on the safety of Jewish residents amid rising hate crimes, according to the New York Times. Opinions varied in the meeting; some leaders urged Adams to cease criticizing Israel and focus on local issues, while others supported his right to criticize but insisted he consistently condemn Hamas and clarify that American Jews are not responsible for Israeli government policies. One participant suggested that if Adams moderated his tone and stopped attacking Israel, it would significantly improve the situation.

The leaders emphasized that Adams must recognize how his remarks contribute to an environment where Jews feel vulnerable. Despite many New York Jews opposing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Adams' labeling of Netanyahu as a "war criminal", while acknowledging legal limits on arresting him, raised fears of fueling antisemitism. Participants recalled Adams' past clear stance against Islamophobia after the September 11 attacks and encouraged him to apply similar clarity in addressing threats to the Jewish community.

Mayor Adams, the first Muslim mayor of New York and a democratic socialist with roots in pro-Palestinian activism, expressed appreciation for the dialogue and said he took the concerns seriously. Philisa Wiseman, senior director of the Office to Combat Antisemitism, described the conversation as open and positive.