NEW YORK (VINnews) – Former New York state Assemblyman Dov Hikind criticized Rabbi Zalman Leib Teitelbaum, the Satmar Rebbe of Williamsburg, after the Hasidic leader defended New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani against accusations of antisemitism.

In a video, Hikind compared the defense of Mamdani to Jews marching alongside Hamas supporters and expressed dismay over the position.

Hearing the Satmar Rebbe defend Mamdani is like seeing fellow Jews march with Hamas supporters.

With despair I say:
God, please forgive our people. pic.twitter.com/qF7Ygn69l3

— Dov Hikind (@HikindDov) August 10, 2026

Hikind also invoked the history of Satmar founder Rabbi Yoel Teitelbaum, noting that he was among the Jews rescued aboard the Kastner train during the Holocaust. The rescue effort was organized by a Jewish committee that included Zionist activists, although it also involved Orthodox Jewish leaders and others.

The comments followed Rabbi Zalman Leib Teitelbaum’s remarks at a gathering marking the 47th yahrzeit of Rabbi Yoel Teitelbaum. The Williamsburg Rebbe criticized attacks on Mamdani and warned that labeling him an antisemite could amount to what he called “provocation against the nations.”

He urged religious Jews in the United States to follow Torah principles and recognize their responsibilities while living in exile.

Both major Satmar factions — the Williamsburg-based Zalunim and the Kiryas Joel-based Aronim — have developed close relationships with Mamdani, a strategy that has drawn criticism and questions from other Jewish New Yorkers.

Mamdani, a Muslim progressive and outspoken critic of Israel, has faced criticism from Jewish organizations over his positions on Israel, the Gaza war and antisemitism.

The Satmar leadership has emphasized maintaining a working relationship with city officials and protecting the interests of its religious communities, even as critics argue that engagement with Mamdani risks legitimizing positions they consider hostile to Israel.