Jewish elected leaders criticize Mamdani’s rhetoric after Upper West Side stabbings

Key Points:

• Jewish elected officials have indirectly blamed Mayor Zohran Mamdani for fueling antisemitism by linking his criticism of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to recent stabbing attacks on the Upper West Side.
• The attacks involved a suspect who reportedly yelled "Allahu akbar" while stabbing a Jewish man and an Asian man, with authorities considering whether to charge the suspect with a hate crime amid concerns about mental illness.
• Democratic candidate Micah Lasher urged Mamdani to soften his rhetoric, emphasizing the need for leadership that makes all New Yorkers feel safe and highlighting that Jewish people feel singled out and unfairly compared to historical evildoers.
• Attorney General Letitia James acknowledged rising antisemitism and the importance of addressing it, noting that half of all hate crimes this year in NYC have targeted Jewish people.
• Mamdani defended his criticism of Netanyahu as factual political critique, not targeting any religion or group, and reiterated his commitment to keeping all New Yorkers safe regardless of background or political views.