Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman delivered a sharp attack on New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani during Tuesday night’s only scheduled gubernatorial debate, accusing the Democratic governor of failing to adequately protect Jewish New Yorkers amid rising antisemitism and warning that Mamdani’s leadership is making the situation worse.

Blakeman, the Jewish Nassau County executive, repeatedly challenged Hochul over her political alliance with Mamdani, whom he directly accused of antisemitism, while pointing to anti-Israel demonstrations, campus unrest, and threats against Jewish institutions.

The confrontation came during the hourlong debate hosted by Spectrum News NY1, just three weeks before the November 3 election.

Moderators questioned Blakeman about remarks he reportedly made during a private meeting with Chassidic community leaders in Williamsburg, where he warned about the possibility of violent antisemitic riots targeting Jewish neighborhoods and institutions.

During that meeting, Blakeman reportedly asked community leaders, “If there is rioting here, if they’re burning down the yeshivas and your shuls, and burning down your house and raping your women, you think Zohran Mamdani is going to stop them?”

Pressed during the debate to identify whom he believed might carry out such violence, Blakeman pointed to the radical demonstrators who have disrupted New York City streets and college campuses.

“They are the professional protesters that took over Columbia University, that blocked our bridges and our roadways, and the lawlessness that took place while Kathy Hochul wouldn’t protect Jewish students,” he said.

Blakeman then turned his criticism directly toward Mamdani.

“Zohran Mamdani is an antisemite,” he declared, citing the mayor’s decision to eliminate New York City’s adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism on his first day in office.

The IHRA definition, which has been widely adopted by governments and institutions, recognizes certain forms of anti-Israel rhetoric as antisemitic. Mamdani’s decision to reverse the city’s use of the definition drew criticism from Jewish organizations concerned about the protection of Jewish residents.

Blakeman challenged Hochul over her willingness to maintain a political partnership with the mayor despite those concerns.

“If you want to campaign with him, that’s fine, but I will tell you right now — I think Zohran Mamdani is an antisemite,” Blakeman told the governor. “Antisemitism is on the rise and it’s occurred under your watch and Zohran Mamdani is fueling it.”

Hochul responded by criticizing Blakeman’s warnings about potential violence, suggesting that his comments reflected a lack of confidence in the NYPD’s ability to protect New Yorkers.

“I stand with the men and women in blue every day of the week,” Hochul said.

Both candidates expressed support for NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, who has faced mounting criticism from far-left activists and organizations, including groups associated with the Democratic Socialists of America, Mamdani’s political base.

Some of those groups have demanded Tisch’s removal following a recent confrontation involving federal immigration agents in New York City.

Blakeman has made protecting Jewish communities a central issue in his campaign, frequently contrasting his administration’s approach in Nassau County with policies in New York City and Albany.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)