Mayor Zohran Mamdani is set to roll out his “plan” to fight antisemitism Tuesday morning — but still refuses to adopt a formal definition of anti-Jewish hate or acknowledge Israel as a Jewish state, accoridng to multiple sources briefed.
Hizzoner will formally announce his blueprint for a growing issue plaguing the city at 11 a.m. when he will lay out the plan drawn up by the anti-Zionist Jewish group, Jews for Racial & Economic Justice.
“Underwhelming is the word I would use to describe it,” one person briefed railed.
Instead of holding a traditional press conference, the antisemitism issue will only be addressed in a video from the mayor.
Insiders briefed on the matter said it will include a mere $1 million for security, which is spread out across all places of worship, not just synagogues, and includes a few asks from the City Council that were hammered out during the budget season.
However, the plan hatched by Mamdani and his antisemitism czar, Phylisa Wisdom —both of whom are outspoken critics of Israel — will not address Zionism or the definition of antisemitism.
“I think the idea they listened to various groups is a good thing,” said one person briefed, giving kudos to the mayor for adding the council asks, such as a Title 6 coordinator for NYC schools and arranging school trips to the Jewish Heritage Museum.
“But again, not addressing that people use anti-Zionism as a shield for antisemitism, but not just for hate crimes but from school groups or jobs. It’s not just as easy as an attack on someone wearing a yarmulke on the street.”
Another Jewish lawmaker skewered the omission.
“Zionism is not a political ideology, [the] majority of Jews are Zionists and it’s a core part of their religious and ethnic identity,” they said.
Wisdom told lawmakers the plan will not touch on “political ideology” but will address hate crimes based on their place of origin.
Mamdani’s antisemitism czar previously faced heat for not being able to define anti-Jewish hate.
Others pointed out the security funding fell massively short of what they believe was needed.
“It’s a negligible drop in the bucket,” another lawmaker said.
“I think the whole thing is fluff. It’s just a whole lot of nonsense. The $1 million in security is a laughable amount.”
