Mayor Zohran Mamdani is facing a call from more than 700 rabbis to apologize for recent remarks he made disparaging the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).The rabbis argue that the mayor's remarks amounted to an act of "dehumanization" that endangers Jewish Americans and their allies.During a June 18 rally ahead of New York City's Democratic primaries, Mamdani referred to AIPAC as "monsters" who use "millions in dark money to accomplish a single goal — to preserve their power, so that they can turn us against one another."The remarks sparked backlash, with a letter signed by hundreds of rabbis expressing concerns that Mamdani's rhetoric could contribute to increased antisemitism. JOSH SHAPIRO WARNS THAT ATTACKS ON AIPAC ARE BEING USED TO 'SILENCE CERTAIN VOTERS'New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani speaks during a primary-night watch party for NYC Congressional candidate Claire Valdez at 99 Scott Studio on June 23, 2026 in the East Williamsburg neighborhood of the Brooklyn borough in New York City.
(Michael M.Santiago/Getty Images)The letter noted that the rabbis who signed it represented congregations with various views on Israel, American politics and the war in Gaza.
It said, "By casting pro-Israel civic participation as monstrous, conspiratorial and anti-democratic, Mr.Mamdani has put a target on the backs of American Jews and their allies." "Mr.
Mamdani’s words matter because they were spoken by the leader of the city with the largest Jewish population outside Israel.They matter because antisemitism in America is rising," the letter reads.The letter called the comments "beneath the office he holds." The signers included dozens of rabbis from New York City but also hundreds more around the country.Mamdani defended his remarks on Monday when answering questions after signing an executive order.
In response to Fox News Digital's request for comment, Mamdani's team pointed to that statement."We're talking about a status quo where children are b...