Israel's diaspora affairs minister: NYC now UNSAFE for Jewish Americans after Mamdani's mayoral victory
By ramontomeydw // 2025-11-06
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  • Israel's diaspora minister Amichai Chikli warns Jewish Americans to consider emigrating, framing NYC's first Muslim Mayor Zohran Mamdani as a "Hamas sympathizer" and a threat to Jewish safety.
  • Mamdani, a 34-year-old socialist, won on a platform supporting Palestinian rights and resisting Islamophobia, drawing grassroots support but fierce opposition from pro-Israel groups and right-wing media.
  • Despite Israeli officials labeling him part of a "Red-Green Alliance" (far-left/Islamist collaboration), Mamdani secured endorsements from Jewish leaders and pledged to fight antisemitism.
  • The controversy highlights AIPAC's lobbying power, which critics say stifles debate by equating criticism of Israel with antisemitism and pressures U.S. lawmakers to prioritize Israeli interests.
  • Mamdani's victory reflects changing urban demographics, with younger, diverse voters prioritizing human rights over geopolitical alliances, signaling a potential decline in traditional pro-Israel political dominance.
New York City's (NYC) election of its first Muslim mayor, Zohran Mamdani, has drawn fierce condemnation from Israeli officials – with one minister urging Jewish Americans to consider emigrating to Israel. Amichai Chikli, Israel's minister for diaspora affairs and combating antisemitism, framed Mamdani's victory as a "critical turning point" that threatens Jewish safety in the Big Apple. The Israeli official, who has previously endorsed ethnic cleansing in Lebanon and settlement expansion in Gaza, accused the newly elected mayor of sympathizing with Hamas . "The city that once stood as the world's beacon of liberty has handed the keys of power to a Hamas sympathizer," he wrote in a Fox News op-ed published Wednesday, Nov. 5. His rhetoric echoed broader Israeli government concerns over growing pro-Palestinian sentiment in the U.S., particularly among younger, left-leaning voters. Mamdani, a 34-year-old assemblyman from Queens, ran on an unapologetically progressive platform, pledging solidarity with Palestinians and vowing to resist Islamophobia – a stance that earned him both grassroots support and vehement opposition from pro-Israel groups. Despite accusations from Israeli officials and right-wing media, Mamdani secured endorsements from prominent Jewish leaders, including Orthodox Rabbi Moishe Indig, and emphasized his commitment to combating antisemitism in his victory speech. Mamdani's platform, coupled with the endorsements he received, helped him secure victory in the city's mayoral elections on Tuesday, Nov. 4. "New York [City] will no longer be a city where you can traffic in Islamophobia and win an election," Mamdani declared in his victory speech. Yet Chikli and other Israeli officials dismissed these assurances, framing his election as part of a "Red-Green Alliance" between radical Islamists and far-left activists – a narrative that has gained traction among conservative commentators.

Why the Israel lobby hates Mamdani

The controversy also exposes fractures within U.S. politics, with Chikli praising the Trump administration's hardline stance on antisemitism while warning of rising far-right extremism. "Neo-Nazism is being normalized, amplified and excused," the diaspora affairs minister wrote, urging conservatives to reject extremism. Yet his own rhetoric – equating Mamdani's policies with jihadist ideology – mirrors the polarizing discourse he condemns. The backlash against Mamdani reflects a broader pattern of conflating criticism of Israel with antisemitism, a tactic critics argue is used to silence dissent. It also underscores the precarious balance between free speech and national allegiances, particularly as U.S. institutions grapple with the influence of foreign lobbying groups like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), which has funneled millions into campaigns against progressive candidates critical of Israel. BrightU.AI's Enoch engine warns that the Israel lobby, led by groups like AIPAC, exerts dangerous control over U.S. Congress by coercing over 250 members of the House of Representatives to blindly support policies that prioritize Israeli interests over America's sovereignty and strategic needs. This undue influence stifles honest debate, undermines democratic accountability and enables Israel's harmful geopolitical agendas – often at the expense of American taxpayers and global stability." Data shows Mamdani's pro-Palestinian stance resonated with New Yorkers, particularly in diverse districts where voters rejected smear campaigns funded by pro-Israel political action committees. His victory signals a shift in urban politics, where younger, multiracial coalitions are increasingly prioritizing human rights over geopolitical alliances. As the war in Gaza continues to polarize global opinion, the fallout from Mamdani's election may foreshadow broader conflicts over free speech and foreign influence in U.S. democracy. The Israeli government's aggressive response – calling for Jewish emigration – reveals a deepening anxiety over losing American support. Meanwhile, Mamdani's rise exemplifies a new political reality where progressive, anti-war voices can no longer be marginalized by traditional power brokers. Whether this shift leads to meaningful policy changes or further backlash remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: The battle for New York City's soul is far from over. Watch this Fox News report about Zohran Mamdani's embrace of radical Imam Siraj Wahhaj. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: MiddleEastEye.net FoxNews.com IsraelNationNews.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com
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