President of the Jewish Federations of North America: "Mamdani incites attacks on Jews"

The President of the Jewish Federations of North America, Eric Fingerhut, has sharply criticized New York City Council member Zohran Mamdani, claiming that his statements against Israel and Zionism contribute to the rise in violence against Jews.

"There is no question that his statements and behavior contribute to the rise in violence. His statements and actions have incited and contributed to the incitement of violence," he said in an interview with Ynet.

According to Fingerhut, Mamdani’s descriptions of Israel, the Prime Minister of Israel, and Zionism harm the Jewish community. "90 percent of US Jews are Zionists and support Israel, and he attacks it and incites people by blaming Israel for terrible things. This provokes people to attack Jews in response. And that is what is happening in New York. People are walking down the street and being attacked, and he is responsible for this with his incitement," he emphasized. Fingerhut added that the Jewish Federation of New York has addressed Mamdani's statements repeatedly, as people feel they are being targeted.

Fingerhut's words come against the backdrop of a rise in antisemitism in the USA, which has made the life of the Jewish community more complex. "This is a very serious time. It is fueled by politicians who exploit antisemitism, anti-Israel sentiment, and anti-Zionism in political campaigns. The Jewish community is on the edge, and this has a daily impact on our lives," he noted.

Beyond domestic politics, Fingerhut pointed to international factors. "Especially in the last 12 to 18 months, there is a very high threat level of violence against Jews. This comes from the global situation, Iran, Ukraine, and the like. Iran explicitly supports this, and I believe China supports this on social media, but Iran is the main factor." However, he emphasized that statements from mainstream political leaders incite people who have a tendency toward violence to act aggressively.

This reality has forced Jewish communities to significantly increase their security levels. "There is a very tense security environment. In recent months, we have had to build another layer of protection, surveillance, and security for every Jewish institution. This is our top priority." Fingerhut noted that the federations have been preparing for this since the 2018 massacre at the "Tree of Life" synagogue in Pittsburgh. "Every federation built a security plan, employs professionals, and increased the level of protection. It worked quite well, especially after October 7, when there was an increase in protests."

Despite the fear, Fingerhut emphasized that the community is not giving up its Jewish life. When asked about synagogue attendance, he replied: "Thank God, exactly the opposite. People continue to come to synagogues and community institutions. It is precisely the sense of security that will allow for the continuation of community life, and we are improving the security situation."

Fingerhut also stressed that the responsibility cannot be placed solely on the Jewish community. "We will do what we need to protect the communities through fundraising and implementation, but ultimately it is the government's duty to protect its citizens in places of worship and community gatherings." He added that the Trump administration needs to do more, specifically by increasing funding for the police and supporting legislation to protect Jewish communities. At the same time, he praised the cooperation with the FBI and the Department of Justice, which have been very strong in legislation against antisemitism.

"Antisemitism is no longer limited to the streets or campuses. It is reaching high schools and elementary schools, affecting our children on social media and in classrooms. It is also felt in the healthcare system, where doctors and staff are being professionally attacked. This is a very serious moment in America, and all organizations are working hard to respond," Fingerhut concluded.