The Trump Justice Department has launched an active effort to investigate antisemitic crimes in New York City and has sent Mayor Zohran Mamdani a letter seeking answers over allegations of the “unequal treatment” of Jewish residents, according to federal officials and community leaders.

The development follows a pair of violent attacks on Manhattan’s Upper West Side last month, when police say 51-year-old Raul Morales shouted “Allahu Akbar!” while stabbing a Jewish man and, in a separate incident, an Asian man.

In the aftermath of the attacks, a number of prominent Jewish leaders placed blame on Mamdani, citing his repeated criticism of Israel. The mayor has accused Israel of committing “genocide” during the war in Gaza and has called for the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

New NYPD statistics released Monday also showed that hate crimes have continued to rise across New York City under Mamdani’s administration, with more than half of all reported hate-crime incidents this year targeting Jewish New Yorkers.

Last week, Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, who leads the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, met with Dov Hikind, founder of Americans Against Antisemitism and a former New York state assemblyman, to discuss concerns surrounding antisemitic hate crimes in the city.

Dhillon’s office also sent a letter to Mamdani requesting information regarding the allegations.

“The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division is actively investigating and prosecuting hate crimes, including antisemitism, in New York City and nationwide,” the Justice Department said in a statement.

“The Civil Rights Division has an extensive and active portfolio of antisemitism enforcement, including indictments, prosecutions, settlements, and investigations across the country.”

Hikind said Dhillon personally informed him that the letter seeks a response from the mayor concerning what it describes as the “unequal treatment” of Jewish New Yorkers.

“The Justice Department is taking antisemitism very seriously,’’ Hikind said.

“The king of antisemitism is none other than Mayor Mamdani.’’

Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, also suggested that Mamdani’s rhetoric toward Israel has contributed to a climate that encourages antisemitic violence.

“Hey,@NYCMayor Mamdani — Law enforcement says the man they arrested for attacking a synagogue in Sarasota, FL, was motivated by social media propaganda,” Greenblatt wrote on X.

“The man reportedly reposted your video demonizing the Jewish state. Words have consequences. Your inflammatory rhetoric can lead to violence.

“Jewish people and institutions are being attacked in NYC and across the country because of hateful and demonizing rhetoric,’’ Greenblatt said.

“The Jewish community deserves leaders who will confront antisemitism and protect Jewish New Yorkers, not fan the flames of hate.”

The mayor has previously said he takes antisemitism seriously and has pointed to increased city funding for anti-hate initiatives as evidence of his administration’s commitment to combating antisemitic violence.

{Matzav.com}