Israeli Officials Accuse Mayor Mamdani of Inciting Manhattan Stabbings

Israeli officials and Jewish community leaders accused Zohran Mamdani of inciting hatred after a suspect stabbed a Jewish man and an Asian man on Manhattan's Upper West Side on July 23, 2026. The suspect, 51-year-old Raul Morales, allegedly shouted "Allahu Akbar" during the attacks. While both victims are in stable condition, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated the department is evaluating whether the incident is a hate crime, noting that the suspect's mental state may have been a factor.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon, and Consul General Ofir Akunis claimed Mamdani created a climate where Jews are targeted. They cited his decision to abolish the IHRA definition of antisemitism on his first day in office and his past defense of the slogan "globalize the intifada." Jewish leaders, including UJA-Federation CEO Eric Goldstein and Rabbi Yosie Levine, similarly accused the mayor of fanning the flames of hatred by demonizing Israel.

Mamdani rejected calls to apologize, defending his descriptions of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a "war criminal" as objective political critiques rather than antisemitism. He stated there is "no tolerance for antisemitism or hatred of any kind in this city." New York Attorney General Letitia James acknowledged that antisemitic acts have been growing in the city but declined to draw conclusions about the motive of the stabbings until the investigation is complete.