Politics

Rabbis Demand Retraction From New York City Mayor Over AIPAC Remarks

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Jun 26, 2026

THE BARE STORY

A coalition of more than 700 rabbis has signed an open letter demanding that New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani apologize and retract comments he made in June characterizing the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) as "monsters." In his remarks, Mamdani accused the organization of using millions of dollars in dark money to maintain influence and cause division.

The rabbis, organized under the group Jewish Majority, argued that Mamdani’s rhetoric dehumanizes Jewish Americans, relies on antisemitic tropes, and compromises the safety of the Jewish community. The group released a poll alongside the letter indicating that 82 percent of Jewish New Yorkers are concerned about rising antisemitism. To highlight their safety concerns, the coalition's letter also cited recent law enforcement actions, including federal charges against five individuals accused of plotting to kill AIPAC supporters and a Florida indictment over an alleged planned shooting at an AIPAC office.

Mamdani defended his remarks, explaining that his use of the term "monsters" was a reference to philosopher Antonio Gramsci regarding entities that block progress, such as super PACs spending money on deceptive advertisements. The mayor asserted that his criticisms were aimed at AIPAC's opposition to safety measures in Palestine and its support for what he described as an immoral status quo.

In response to the criticism, Mamdani’s office pointed to a prior statement affirming that Jewish New Yorkers deserve security. The office also noted that the city is allocating $26 million annually to expand efforts to prevent hate crimes.

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• Shield Communal Safety Maintaining public order and social cohesion requires leaders to avoid inflammatory, dehumanizing language that can incite violence against targeted communities. Characterizing a prominent Jewish advocacy group as "monsters" crosses the line from legitimate policy critique into dangerous rhetoric that legitimizes extremist hostility. With 82 percent of Jewish New Yorkers expressing deep concern over rising antisemitism, political figures must uphold civic standards that protect citizens from being targeted by radical actors.

• Uphold Rule-of-Law Protections Concrete threats to public safety must be met with rigorous law enforcement and preventative vigilance rather than being dismissed through academic theory. The federal charges against five individuals plotting to kill AIPAC supporters, alongside a Florida indictment over a planned shooting at an AIPAC office, demonstrate that anti-lobbying rhetoric has tangible, lethal consequences. When public officials minimize these threats through abstract philosophical justifications, they undermine the rule of law and fail in their fundamental duty to guarantee physical security.

• Preserve Institutional Representation Respecting established systems of civic advocacy and traditional community leadership is vital for maintaining a stable pluralistic society. The unified response from a coalition of more than 700 rabbis under Jewish Majority represents a collective defense of their community's right to participate in the political process without fear of dehumanization. Dismissing their concerns as mere defense of the status quo ignores the legitimate role of advocacy groups and erodes the mutual respect necessary for democratic continuity.

How it may affect me

As a U.S. reader:

• New York City residents may see the practical effects of a 26 million dollar annual municipal allocation to expand hate crime prevention efforts.

• Individuals associated with political advocacy organizations may face increased security concerns, following recent federal charges and indictments related to planned attacks on advocacy supporters and offices.

• The general public may experience heightened tension in political discourse, with debates intensifying over whether criticisms of lobbying groups constitute protected speech or incite safety risks.

• Voters may see continued scrutiny of campaign finance structures, as debates persist over how super PACs and dark money affect democratic representation and policy.

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