- Mayor Zohran Mamdani is pushing back against criticism over his choices on who will advise him on judicial appointments, stating that there are no Jewish members on the 18-person board.
- This criticism comes as Jewish leaders are blasting the mayor for his stance on Israel and his calls to arrest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on an International War Crimes warrant.
- Mamdani claimed, "I did not ask for the religion of each of the persons that was put forward," while insisting that he has appointed a diverse array of judges.
- The city's Jewish bar associations sent the mayor a letter in protest, stating, "It follows a troubling pattern that has left many Jewish New Yorkers feeling increasingly marginalized."
- In response to concerns about decision-making motivated by religion, Mamdani stated, "I think the suggestion that there would be any decision-making motivated by religion, it does bother me."
- In an ABC News interview, Netanyahu accused the mayor of promoting antisemitism, stating, "The mayor of New York City celebrates the barbarians, and a day later - a day later - a Jew is stabbed, you know, stabbed, coming out of a synagogue."
- Mamdani told the New York Times, "Mr. Netanyahu belongs in The Hague. He's a war criminal who has been charged by the International Criminal Court."
Mayor Zohran Mamdani is defending his judicial appointments amid significant backlash from Jewish leaders, who criticize his lack of representation on the advisory board.1245
There are no Jewish members on the 18-person board, prompting protests from local Jewish bar associations.
Mamdani stated, "I did not ask for the religion of each of the persons that was put forward", emphasizing the importance of diversity in judicial appointments.
The controversy escalated as Mamdani's stance on Israel, including calls to arrest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on an International War Crimes warrant, drew ire from Jewish leaders.3910
Netanyahu responded, accusing Mamdani of promoting antisemitism, stating, "The mayor of New York City celebrates the barbarians, and a day later - a day later - a Jew is stabbed, you know, stabbed, coming out of a synagogue".
Mamdani countered, asserting that the suggestion of religion influencing his decisions is troubling, saying, "I think the suggestion that there would be any decision-making motivated by religion, it does bother me".
This situation reflects a broader concern among Jewish New Yorkers, who feel increasingly marginalized in the current political climate.
Mamdani concluded, "Mr. Netanyahu belongs in The Hague. He's a war criminal who has been charged by the International Criminal Court", further intensifying the ongoing conflict between the mayor and the Israeli government.
“Mamdani's judicial appointments have drawn ire, with Jewish bar associations protesting that it reflects a troubling pattern of marginalization. In response, Mamdani emphasized his commitment to diversity, stating, 'I did not ask for the religion of each of the persons that was put forward.'”
NBC New York
ABC7 New York
