Jewish power, Big Apple style

At least one Jewish entity is prepared to protect its borders from an impending invasion.

The Israeli government failed to do that on Oct. 7, but as of now, another Jewish force is ready to confront its perceived enemy – namely, Zohran Mamdani.

New York City’s new mayor faces two initiatives aimed at precluding any of his actions that Jewish leaders fear might harm Israel or their fellow Jews in the Big Apple. It is predictable that the 34-year-old Mamdani will face a firestorm if he does anything that is perceived as damaging. He could even have problems if he pursues a legitimate concern involving Jewish New Yorkers, including the city’s ongoing struggle with the education of Orthodox Jews who attend private-school yeshivas.

Mamdani set himself up for a fall by accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza and rolling back city policies in support of Israel on his first day in office, last Jan. 1. Some Jews branded him an antisemite long before he was elected last November and expect the worst from him for Israel and the city’s Jewish population.

While Israel’s government neglected to provide sufficient border defences on Oct. 7, 2023, when Arab terrorists murdered 1,200 residents in southern Israel, Jewish New Yorkers have already organised on two fronts – a business alliance to protect Jewish and Israeli companies in NYC while City Council has launched a task force to address antisemitism, especially to deal with violence and severe harassment.

These measures almost immediately alerted Mamdani that Jewish leaders would not let him get away with anything, if indeed he tried. However, so-called progressives will be very disappointed if he does not follow through with their expectations.

If sparks fly, it will probably be over whether he attempts to divest from Israeli business ties. If he does try, we should not be surprised if there is a political explosion triggered by Jewish leaders. If he does not try, or if he backs down, he will face the wrath of the anti-Israel mob.

The latter group is less likely to find support from their neighbours because most of them are attracted to the progressives’ attention to social ills. They only go along with criticism of Israel because it is part of the progressives’ package. They do not understand it and probably never cared about the Middle East until Mamdani and his friends injected it into the debate.

If Mamdani indulges in action involving the Middle East, it will only distract from the social concerns that drew popular support from the outset. So far, he has been quick to condemn activities that frighten Jewish New Yorkers.

The New York Post reported earlier this week that business leaders created the New York-Israeli Chamber of Commerce Coalition, for which its president, Al Kinel, explained, “The free enterprise system that…encouraged many Israeli founders to select New York City for U.S. operations is at risk. Beyond the economic damage, we are deeply alarmed by the correlation between these policies and the rise in unsafe conditions for our employees and customers.”

Says Heather Mulligan, president and CEO of the Business Council of New York State, “Like all employers, Israeli-founded businesses are an equally important part of our economy, creating jobs, leading innovation and contributing to the economy of the communities where they operate.”

New York City is home to 675 Israel-founded businesses that together provide tens of thousands of jobs and tax revenues that fund city services, according to a report released by the United States-Israel Business Alliance.

Mark Jaffe, president and CEO of the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce, declared that New York “should not be jeopardising jobs nor future job creation based upon economic discrimination.”

Politically, the City Council is forming what amounts to a shadow government for Jewish affairs. Last week, the council announced the launch of a Task Force to Combat Antisemitism and introduced legislation to create a 100-foot buffer zone for protests around synagogues and other sensitive sites, even though the new mayor has set up the Office to Combat Antisemitism.

“(It) may be a check on that,” said Council member Inna Vernikov, a Jewish Republican who will lead the task force alongside Eric Dinowitz, a Jewish Democrat from the Bronx. The group was set up by Council Speaker Julie Menin, a Jewish council member who could serve as a counterweight to Mamdani.

The Times of Israel reports that the task force will hold hearings on anti-Jewish criminal offences and investigate antisemitism in protests, schools, higher education and city agencies. Menin will be positioned to issue subpoenas to force individuals to attend hearings. Vernikov added that the task force will also recommend legislation to fight anti-Jewish actions. The legislation follows two raucous protests outside local shuls in recent months when anti-Israel activists harassed Jewish passersby, shouted antisemitic tropes and chanted in support of Hamas, the terrorist group in Gaza.

Gov. Kathy Hochul first proposed a 25-foot buffer zone, but Menin said far more distance is necessary.

“We are not doing anything in the bills to penalize protest and we want to make sure that people have the right to peacefully protest,” Menin said. “What we’re trying to do is protect houses of worship and schools.”

It is a relief that Jewish elected officials are willing to stand up to Mamdani, and it says something hopeful that the majority of council would elect a purposeful Jewish woman when a new mayor cannot be trusted to do right by the Jewish community.

Mamdani is already witnessing what savvy Jewish power can do. Is he sure he still wants the job?