Israeli envoy says NYC antisemitism at ‘worst’ level since WWII
Ofir Akunis, Israel's consul general in New York, warned on Monday that antisemitism in New York City has reached unprecedented levels, accusing Mayor Zohran Mamdani of exacerbating tensions through anti-Israel messaging. The remarks came after…
Assessment
Ofir Akunis, Israel's consul general in New York, is publicly blaming Mayor Zohran Mamdani's rhetoric for a surge in antisemitism, a charge that directly politicizes a deeply sensitive issue ahead of any mayoral election. The consul general's meeting with Staten Island's borough president signals an effort to build influence at the borough level against the mayor's office. What remains unclear from this account is whether Akunis offered specific evidence linking the mayor's messaging to the alleged rise in antisemitic incidents, or whether this is primarily a political condemnation.