Over 650 US rabbis sign letter opposing Mamdani for NYC mayor

“We will not accept a culture that treats Jewish self-determination as a negotiable ideal or Jewish inclusion as something to be ‘granted,’” the letter reads

By Natalia Mittelstadt

Published: October 23, 2025 10:13am

More than 650 U.S. rabbis have signed a letter opposing New York City Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, a Muslim, in the November election.

The letter, titled “A Rabbinic Call to Action: Defending the Jewish Future,” points out Mamdani’s defense of the phrase “Globalize the Intifada,” which he has since said he would “discourage”; his repeated accusations against Israel of genocide in Gaza; and his refusal to acknowledge Israel’s existence as a Jewish state, The Times of Israel reported. Also, Mamdani has said he would arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he visits New York City.

“We will not accept a culture that treats Jewish self-determination as a negotiable ideal or Jewish inclusion as something to be ‘granted,’” the letter reads. “The safety and dignity of Jews in every city depend on rejecting that false choice.”

The Mamdani campaign did not immediately respond to Just the News' request for comment Thursday morning.

“We call on all Americans who value peace and equality to participate fully in the democratic process in order to stand up for candidates who reject antisemitic and anti-Zionist rhetoric, and who affirm Israel’s right to exist in peace and security,” the letter continues. “Now is the time for everyone to unite across political and moral divides, and to reject the language that seeks to delegitimize our Jewish identity and our community.”

Signatories on the letter included a broad range of rabbis and cantors from more than 30 states and Toronto, Canada. The new Jewish Majority advocacy group organized the letter, which is led by AIPAC veteran Jonathan Schulman.

“We also call on our interfaith and communal partners to stand with the Jewish community in rejecting this dangerous rhetoric and to affirm the rights of Jews to live securely and with dignity,” the letter concluded.

Mamdani is the front-runner in the mayoral race, as he runs against former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa.