
UJA-Federation of New York to Mamdani: 'Shame on You
UJA-Federation of New York issued a blunt rebuke to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Wednesday, July 22, following a video statement in which the mayor renewed his attacks on Israel and on its Prime Minister. "New Yorkers elected a mayor to lead this city - not to make Israel the centerpiece of your political grandstanding," the federation stated. The organization charged that the mayor's video was "rife with distortions and disinformation."
"At a time of rising antisemitism, repeatedly singling out and vilifying the world's only Jewish state for perceived political benefit is repugnant, puts Jews at greater risk - and leaves many Jewish New Yorkers feeling targeted and unwelcome in the city we call home," the federation continued. Its statement closed with two words: "Shame on you." The video that prompted the response had been posted to social media on Tuesday, July 21, and in it Mamdani described Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a "war criminal" and urged the federal government to act against him.
In the video, Mamdani called on Washington to join the International Criminal Court and execute the warrant the court issued against Netanyahu. "My administration has reviewed every avenue available, under applicable law, to determine whether New York City could execute the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant if Benjamin Netanyahu came here. It is clear that we do not have the independent legal authority to enforce this warrant," he admitted. He went on to declare that "Benjamin Netanyahu is not welcome in New York City, nor is any other war criminal."
(INN/VFI News)
Lord God of Israel, we thank You for the Jewish communities of New York and for every voice that rises to defend Your people when they are slandered from high office. We pray that You would strengthen those leaders who refuse to stay silent, and that their words would carry weight in the halls where decisions are made. Soften the heart of this mayor, and of every official who has used their position to express hatred of the Jewish state. We ask in Yeshua's Name that Jewish New Yorkers would walk their streets in safety and in confidence, welcome in the city they call home.