NYC Rabbi Calls on Mayor-elect Mamdani to Condemn ‘Globalize the Intifada’ After Sydney Attack
NEW YORK, N.Y. — In the wake of a deadly antisemitic attack at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney, Australia, Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch, senior rabbi of the Stephen Wise Free Synagogue on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, has publicly urged New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani to unequivocally condemn the phrase “globalize the intifada.” The call comes amid heightened concerns over rising antisemitism worldwide and the political discourse surrounding the phrase, which Rabbi Hirsch describes as a “call to mass genocide.”
Last weekend, two gunmen opened fire during a Bondi Beach Hanukkah event, killing 15 people and injuring dozens more. The attack has sent shockwaves through Jewish communities globally, including in New York City, where Rabbi Hirsch emphasized the urgent need for political leaders to take a firm stand against language that incites violence.
“What does ‘globalize the intifada’ mean? It means Bondi Beach,” Rabbi Hirsch told Fox News Digital. He stressed that the phrase is not merely a slogan but a dangerous incitement to destroy Israel, a message that demands clear and decisive condemnation from all responsible political and moral authorities. “It is different from advocating for Palestinian statehood or peaceful coexistence,” Hirsch said. “Those who use this phrase mean to destroy Israel, and that must be unequivocally rejected.”
The phrase “globalize the intifada” gained significant attention during New York City’s recent mayoral election after Mamdani, a progressive figure, declined to condemn it outright. Instead, Mamdani argued against policing language, though he later committed to discouraging its use. Rabbi Hirsch criticized this stance, stating, “He should condemn it. It’s not simply a question of whether he doesn’t encourage its use.”
Rabbi Hirsch also drew a distinction between legitimate criticism of the Israeli government and antisemitism, noting that many Americans have voiced opposition to policies following Israel’s military actions in Gaza after the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023. However, he asserted that Mamdani’s approach is fundamentally different, pointing to the mayor-elect’s longstanding opposition to Israel’s existence as a Jewish state. “That is a fundamental distinction and is very dangerous,” Hirsch said.
The issue highlights the broader challenge faced by political leaders in addressing the rise of antisemitism while navigating complex geopolitical debates. The U.S. Department of State’s annual report on antisemitism has documented a global increase in antisemitic incidents, underscoring the urgency of clear leadership on such matters.
New York City, home to one of the largest Jewish populations in the world, has seen its share of tensions related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, making the mayor’s position particularly significant. As the city prepares for Mamdani’s inauguration, community leaders and advocacy groups, including the Anti-Defamation League, are watching closely for his response.
Rabbi Hirsch’s call also resonates with international efforts to combat antisemitism. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly urged Western governments to take stronger action against antisemitic rhetoric and violence, as documented by the Government of Israel. The Sydney attack, one of the deadliest antisemitic incidents in recent years, has intensified these calls.
As the debate continues, the mayor-elect’s office has yet to issue a formal statement explicitly condemning the phrase. Advocates argue that such a condemnation would send a powerful message of solidarity to Jewish communities and help curb the spread of extremist rhetoric.
The New York Police Department, which monitors hate crimes in the city, has reported an uptick in antisemitic incidents over the past year, aligning with trends seen nationally as outlined by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Hate Crime Statistics. This context adds urgency to Rabbi Hirsch’s appeal for leadership that unequivocally rejects language that incites violence.
With the inauguration of Zohran Mamdani approaching, the eyes of New York’s Jewish community and beyond remain fixed on how the new mayor will address this critical issue. Rabbi Hirsch’s message is clear: silence or equivocation in the face of calls to “globalize the intifada” risks emboldening those who seek to spread hatred and violence.
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