Mayor Mamdani’s Shameful Attack on a Manhattan Synagogue

On Tuesday night, the preschool attached to Park East Synagogue closed early because staff could not ensure a safe dismissal. Outside, protesters had gathered to demonstrate against an aliyah event, a gathering where Jews could learn about fulfilling the commandment of living in Israel. Some of the rioters chanted antisemitic slogans; some carried Hezbollah flags. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani had just issued an official statement explaining, in essence, that even though he would begrudgingly allow police protection, the synagogue really had it coming.

Mamdani’s office said he was “deeply opposed” to the event because it allegedly promoted property in West Bank settlements, which the statement called “illegal under international law.” That statement was wrong in three ways.

MG

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Mark Goldfeder

Mark Goldfeder is CEO of the National Jewish Advocacy Center and a law professor at Touro Law School.

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On Tuesday night, the preschool attached to Park East Synagogue closed early because staff could not ensure a safe dismissal. Outside, protesters had gathered to demonstrate against an aliyah event, a gathering where Jews could learn about fulfilling the commandment of living in Israel. Some of the rioters chanted antisemitic slogans; some carried Hezbollah flags. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani had just issued an official statement explaining, in essence, that even though he would begrudgingly allow police protection, the synagogue really had it coming.

Mamdani’s office said he was “deeply opposed” to the event because it allegedly promoted property in West Bank settlements, which the statement called “illegal under international law.” That statement was wrong in three ways.