How to combat antisemitism is one of the biggest divides between Mayor Mamdani and the New York City Council.
Just hours after taking office, the new mayor revoked a series of Adams-era policies, some of them fighting antisemitism.
Mamdani says he revoked them because of Adams’ federal indictment and insists he’s committed to protecting all New Yorkers.
On Friday, the City Council took its own steps to combat the rise in antisemitism, setting the state for a political disagreement.
More than half the hate crimes in New York are committed against the city’s Jewish residents.
According to the NYPD, antisemitic incidents accounted for nearly 60% of reported hate crimes in 2025. Only about 10% of New York City residents are Jewish, data shows.
Whether it’s graffiti vandalism, or violent assaults in the streets.
City Council speaker Julie Menin says the city needs to do more to protect the community.
“Jews make up just 10% of our population. But last year they were the victim of over 60% of all reported hate crimes,” Menin said.
The speaker proposed a series of initiatives to fight back including $1.25 million for expanded Holocaust education, funding for security at parochial schools and security training for underfunded religious institutions and a dedicated hotline to report antisemitism and secure perimeters at houses of worship.
“It requires NYPD to ensure clear and safe access to both schools and houses of worship, to prevent harassment, to prevent intimidation,” Menin siad.
What the legislation does not do is reinstate executive orders issued by Mayor Adams, defining antisemitism, while forbidding the city from punishing Israel through divestment.
Mayor Mamdani, a staunch critic of Israel, rescinded those orders.
He told Eyewitness News anchor Bill Ritter that he would support legislation on protest perimeters if it passes review by the NYPD.
“You’ll just go by that review?” Ritter asked.
“If something is in the bounds of the law, I will support that. If it’s not, then I can’t,” Mamdani said.
The Anti-Defamation League has been critical of Mamdani and has vowed to monitor City Hall.
Regional Director Scott Richman praised the speaker’s initiatives.
“I think she’s looking at initiatives that will pass the New York City Council that would be important ways to combat antisemitism. And I applaud her for those efforts. I’m hopeful that down the road, we will see opportunities to, legislatively, restore what was lost with the executive order, whether at the city level or the state level,” Richman said.
The proposals couldn’t be less controversial, but if they’re passed and signed into law, it could be a win both for the city’s first Muslim mayor and the council’s first Jewish speaker.
