The Jewish Community Relations Council of New York issued a sharp response to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani after he condemned Israel’s interception of a Gaza-bound flotilla, accusing him of ignoring a recent antisemitic incident in Brooklyn.

Mark Treyger, who heads the organization, criticized Mamdani for speaking out about the maritime incident while remaining silent on reports of antisemitism at the Park Slope Food Coop earlier in the week.

“This week, it was reported that Jewish New Yorkers were subjected to vile antisemitism at a prominent Brooklyn institution…conduct that likely violates state and local human rights laws and warrants public attention and a response from your administration, including the NYC Commission on Human Rights. Yet I have not seen a word from City Hall about that incident,” wrote Treyger.

“Leadership in New York requires the ability to show up consistently for all communities, especially when hate targets them here at home,” he pointed out.

“Foundational to advancing any mayoral agenda is ensuring that New Yorkers of every background feel seen, heard, and protected by their mayor, which includes Jewish New Yorkers,” stated Treyger.

Mamdani had earlier criticized Israel’s detention of activists aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla, describing the action as unlawful and contrary to international law.

“Last night, Israeli forces intercepted and boarded a humanitarian aid flotilla bound for Gaza in international waters off the coast of Greece – unlawfully detaining more than 175 people, including several New Yorkers,” Mamdani wrote in a post on social media.

“My team has been in direct contact with State and Federal partners as we work to confirm the whereabouts and conditions of these New Yorkers,” he added.

“This is a brazen violation of international law. Those detained must be released.”

The Israeli Navy stopped the flotilla Wednesday night, determining—similar to past incidents—that the vessels were not transporting the humanitarian supplies organizers had claimed.

Mamdani has faced ongoing criticism over his positions on Israel. During his campaign, he declined to repudiate the phrase “globalize the intifada,” drawing backlash from critics.

He also came under fire for comments he made on October 8, 2023, one day after the Hamas attack in southern Israel, when he publicly criticized Israel.

In subsequent remarks, Mamdani has repeatedly accused Israel of committing war crimes in its conflict with Hamas in Gaza and has pledged to arrest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should he visit New York City.

Controversy also erupted at the start of Mamdani’s tenure when he rescinded executive orders enacted by his predecessor, Eric Adams, related to Israel.

Among the measures reversed was an order formally adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism, as well as a directive barring city officials from participating in boycotts or divestment efforts targeting Israel.

Mamdani has continued to face scrutiny over antisemitism-related issues during his time in office. Reports recently surfaced indicating that his wife, Rama Dawaji, had engaged with social media posts that praised or appeared to support the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack.

Additional criticism followed last month when Mamdani was introduced at a Ramadan gathering by an individual who publicly called for Hamas to carry out an attack on Tel Aviv.

{Matzav.com}