Skip to content
Bramble

US

Mamdani releases NYC antisemitism strategy that declines to define the term

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani released a city strategy on antisemitism on 29 September with security funding and education measures. Jewish groups and right-leaning outlets criticised its lack of a definition and silence on Israel; outlets give different funding figures.

11 outlets · 3L · 1C · 7R First reported Account updated

Updated (version 7). New coverage since the last version from Fox News, Haaretz, IJR, JNS.

Image: New York Post
Image: Newsweek
Image: Haaretz
Image: Just the News
Image: The Independent
Image: IJR
Image: Washington Examiner
Image: JNS

1 / 8

The story, neutrally told

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani released a strategy to combat antisemitism on 29 September 2026, with a video message rather than a press conference. The plan expands grants for community groups, restarts a security working group for synagogues, and adds Jewish history to school teaching. Outlets give different funding figures: $26 million (Washington Examiner), $29 million a year up from $3 million (Straits Times), more than $30 million (Just the News) and $7.4 million in grants (Newsweek); $1 million for security at places of worship is widely cited.

The document declines to adopt a definition of antisemitism, though it calls a description from the Biden-era national strategy "a useful framework". Mamdani revoked the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition, adopted by predecessor Eric Adams, on his first day in office. The New York Times and Straits Times headlines say the plan came without discussing Israel; the New York Post, citing people briefed, said it does not address Zionism.

UJA-Federation of New York and other Jewish groups welcomed parts of the plan but said it "fails to address a central issue", rhetoric they believe demonizes Israel. Rabbi Rick Jacobs backed parts of it but urged an end to harsh anti-Israel rhetoric, while former comptroller Brad Lander called it thoughtful and strategic. Netanyahu called Mamdani "the antisemitic mayor of New York" at the UN; Mamdani said Netanyahu repeated "baseless lies".

Governor Kathy Hochul said she did not know what the report described but that New York has a definition and a strong plan, according to the New York Post. Mamdani maintains that opposing Israeli policies is distinct from antisemitism; the report says Jews are 12% of the population but about half of reported hate crime victims.

Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on.

Left3 outlets

Framing
Presents a plan that draws mixed reactions, placing it against the tension over Mamdani's Israel criticism and Netanyahu's attack.
Emphasis
Divided Jewish leaders, supportive voices like Lander, and the plan's measures.
Leaves out or plays down
Little on funding totals or on criticism of the plan's thin security money.
For example
“drew praise Tuesday for its funding and prevention efforts, but criticism from some Jewish leaders” — Haaretz
“seeking to ease anxieties among detractors who view his persistent condemnation of Israel as anti-Jewish bias” — The Independent

Centre1 outlet

Framing
An opinion piece arguing the refusal to define antisemitism leaves the hardest Israel-related cases to City Hall's discretion.
Emphasis
The definition question, IHRA versus case-by-case judgment.
Leaves out or plays down
Gives a much lower funding figure than other outlets.
Charged language
“scourge”
For example
“by refusing to define antisemitism to draw that line is, in its own way, a definition.” — Newsweek

Right7 outlets

Framing
Emphasises the omission of a definition and of Zionism, and links the plan to Mamdani's Israel rhetoric, with Jewish leaders' and lawmakers' criticism.
Emphasis
Weak security funding, anti-Zionist partner groups, Hochul's evasion and Netanyahu's attacks.
Leaves out or plays down
Less on Jewish figures who praised the plan.
Charged language
“Hizzoner”“antisemitism czar”“fluff”“Mamdani Monitor”
For example
“still refuses to adopt a formal definition of anti-Jewish hate or acknowledge Israel as a Jewish state” — New York Post
“as Jewish leaders accuse him of contributing to the problem with his anti-Israel rhetoric” — Washington Examiner