By Harshit
NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 26, 2025
A pro-Palestinian protest outside a prominent Manhattan synagogue has ignited a citywide debate over antisemitism, free expression, and Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s long-scrutinized positions on Israel. The November 19 demonstration, held outside Park East Synagogue on the Upper East Side, has intensified concerns among Jewish leaders and political observers just weeks before Mamdani is set to become New York City’s first Muslim mayor on January 1.
The protest — organized by the Palestinian Assembly for Liberation–AWDA NY/NJ — targeted an event hosted inside the synagogue by Nefesh B’Nefesh, an organization that supports North American Jews relocating to Israel. Demonstrators gathered within steps of the synagogue’s entrance, wearing keffiyehs, carrying Palestinian flags, and chanting slogans that many Jewish leaders condemned as inflammatory.
Video footage shows protesters calling out phrases including “Death to the IDF” and “globalize the intifada,” references that revived deep anxieties within the Jewish community. While organizers framed the protest as opposition to settlement activity in the occupied West Bank, many Jewish residents and officials said the messaging crossed into outright intimidation.
The intensity of the response — both from Jewish institutions and from Mamdani’s own transition team — underscores the political challenges the incoming mayor faces at a time of heightened polarization over the Israel–Palestine conflict.
How the Protest Unfolded: A Synagogue Becomes a Flashpoint
Park East Synagogue, a modern Orthodox congregation with a long history of civic engagement, was hosting what it described as a community event for Nefesh B’Nefesh. But the hosting of an aliyah-related program — at a moment of intense global debate over Israel’s war in Gaza — drew the ire of local pro-Palestinian activists.
AWDA’s flyer for the demonstration read: “No settlers on stolen land. Protest the settler recruiting fair.”
Around the synagogue’s entrance, protesters positioned themselves close enough that congregants reported feeling “surrounded,” according to eyewitness accounts. Several attendees told local press they hesitated before entering, fearing escalation.
Counter-protesters holding Israeli flags gathered on the opposite side of the street, creating a tense standoff under the watch of the NYPD.
Mamdani’s Measured Response Sparks Backlash
A week later, Mamdani’s transition team is still navigating the fallout. His initial 50-word statement “discouraged the language used” by protesters but drew attention — and criticism — for turning the focus back onto the synagogue itself.
“He believes every New Yorker should be free to enter a house of worship without intimidation,” his spokesperson Dora Pekec said, “and that these sacred spaces should not be used to promote activities in violation of international law.”
The phrase “violation of international law,” Pekec clarified, referred to Israel’s settlement construction beyond the Green Line — territory captured in 1967 where Palestinians seek a future state.
But for many Jewish leaders, Mamdani’s framing appeared to shift blame toward the synagogue instead of squarely condemning the protesters’ rhetoric.
Rabbi Ari Berman, president of Yeshiva University, called Mamdani’s comments “irresponsible and inflammatory.”
“He says his sole focus is New York City, and he’s now weighing in on foreign policy,” Berman said. “The mayor-elect invokes international law a lot when he discriminates against Jews.”
Mamdani’s Longstanding Stance on Israel Fuels Concern
Well before his electoral victory on November 4, Mamdani’s history of outspoken criticism of Israel had left many Jewish voters wary. He has refused to affirm that Israel should exist as an explicitly Jewish state, instead arguing for a binational model guaranteeing identical rights for all citizens. He has accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza following the October 7 Hamas attacks.
He has also previously declined to condemn the phrase “globalize the intifada,” a slogan widely interpreted as a call to expand a violent uprising. Though Mamdani now says he would “discourage” the phrase’s use, the shift has not reassured those who question the sincerity of his evolution.
During the campaign, Mamdani promised equal protection and pledged to provide security at synagogues and pro-Israel gatherings. He met with Jewish organizations and stressed that municipal roles — such as sanitation commissioner — would not hinge on ideological views of Israel.
Yet exit polls suggest the skepticism persisted: about 64% of Jewish voters supported his opponent, Andrew Cuomo, while roughly a third backed Mamdani. That disproportionate alignment with a centrist candidate reflected concerns that Mamdani’s activism might shape his approach to Jewish security.
A Sensitive Issue in the National Spotlight
Mamdani was asked about the Park East protest during a high-profile meeting with President Donald Trump on Friday. His answer emphasized safety:
“I care very deeply about Jewish safety, and I look forward to rooting out antisemitism across the five boroughs,” he said. “Protecting Jewish New Yorkers and every New Yorker who calls this city home is my priority.”
Jewish leaders noted that Mamdani’s public assurances contrasted with what they considered an insufficient response to the protest’s escalating rhetoric.
NYPD Steps In: Commissioner Tisch Visits the Synagogue
New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch — who agreed to remain in her post under Mamdani — took the unusual step of visiting Park East Synagogue during Shabbat services. Addressing congregants, she acknowledged the fear the protest caused and said the NYPD would adopt a more sensitive posture in the future.
“You deserved an NYPD stance that recognized the sensitivity of this location, the climate we’re living in, and the heightened fear within our community,” she said. “Instead, you had turmoil.”
Cantor Benny Rogosnitzky of Park East said the commissioner’s remarks were “deeply appreciated” and underscored a commitment to balancing free speech with the security needs of Jewish institutions.
Jewish Organizations Respond: Sharp Divisions Emerge
The protest’s location — directly outside a house of worship — drew condemnation from several Democratic leaders. Governor Kathy Hochul called it “shameful and a blatant attack on the Jewish community,” and outgoing Mayor Eric Adams described the event as “antisemitic.”
The Anti-Defamation League issued one of the strongest responses, accusing Mamdani of downplaying harassment:
“Rather than fulfill his pledge to protect all Jewish New Yorkers, the Mayor-elect’s comments contribute to an already hostile environment,” the ADL said. The group has launched a “Mamdani Monitor” to track his decisions.
But reactions were not unanimous.
Jamie Beran, CEO of the progressive Jewish group Bend the Arc — which endorsed Mamdani — defended the principle of protesting the event itself.
“Protesting outside a house of worship is not inherently a problem,” Beran said. “But shouting death threats outside a synagogue does fuel antisemitism, even if that was not the intent.”
Beran said Bend the Arc intends to work with Mamdani’s administration to ensure “every New Yorker, including Jews, is protected.”
A Balancing Act That Will Define His Mayoral Tenure
As Mamdani prepares to assume office, the Park East incident has become a defining early test. Supporters argue that he is uniquely positioned to reduce tensions between communities. Critics worry his years of activism create an inherent conflict when dealing with Jewish concerns.
For many New Yorkers, the question is whether the incoming mayor can convincingly separate his political ideology from his obligations as the city’s top public official — especially when faced with moments of heightened fear and complex geopolitical resonance.
What is clear is that the debate over Israel, antisemitism, and the boundaries of protest has moved from global headlines to the front steps of one of Manhattan’s most historic synagogues. And it has placed Zohran Mamdani exactly where he pledged he wanted to be: accountable, scrutinized, and at the center of New York’s most sensitive civic conversation.