Dozens of protesters lined up outside a Brooklyn synagogue Sunday to object to a visit by New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani to the congregation, according to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
Mamdani, a Muslim, was born in Uganda and has been a member of the New York State Assembly since 2021. He resides in Queens and describes himself as a Democratic socialist.
Congregation Beth Elohim, which is located in Park Slope, said it had invited each of the candidates to meet with its members "to learn more about the people who want to lead our city." On their website, the congregation said it "believes it is more important than ever to engage in open dialogue about the issues closest to our hearts and minds."
Zohran Mamdani a vocal critic of Israel
Some members of the congregation, however, felt the invitation was a slap in the face due to Mamdani's stance on Israel. He is a vocal critic of Israel and has called its actions in Gaza "genocide" and "apartheid."
"I think it's very clear that any group that wants Israel to be eliminated is not to be embraced by our congregation. It's like inviting Yasser Arafat into our midst," Elaine Kleinberg, a 25-year member of BCE, told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
The synagogue reportedly received 400 registrations, and 82 members submitted questions. Senior rabbi Rachel Timoner said about half of the selected questions addressed the issue of Israel, Zionism and anti-semitism, according to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
Timoner told JTA that Mamdani's appearance would be followed by Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa.
One congregant, who requested anonymity, told JTA that he was still working on how he felt about Mamdani after the visit.
"The guy has a history of being pro-Palestinian and anti-Zionist, anti-Israel as a Jewish state. I am typical of this community, anti-the prosecution of the war by the current Israeli government. I'm against them, but I am for Israel as a Jewish state, and I'm not quite sure. He's still sort of vague where he stands or not," the congregant said.
Zohran Mamdani has faced criticism
Mamdani has faced criticism for failing to condemn the pro-Palestinian phrase "globalize the intifada" and for his support of the Boycott, Divest and Sanctions movement against Israel. He also supports free buses, city-owned grocery stores, rent freezes, no-cost childcare and and taxing big corporations and New York's wealthiest.
In his statement on the two-year anniversary of the Oct. 7 attack, Mamdani said Hamas had committed a "horrific war crime, killing more than 1,100 Israelis and kidnapping 250 more." He also condemned Israel for launching a "genocidal war" and the U.S. government for being "complicit through it all."
"The occupation and apartheid must end. Peace must be pursued through democracy, not war crimes, and our government must act to end these atrocities and hold those responsible to account."
Mamdani's mother is an Indian-born filmmaker, Mira Nair, who earned acclaim for her movies "Salaam Bombay," "Mississippi Masala," and "Monsoon Wedding." She was reportedly raised in a Hindu family. His father is Mahmood Mamdani, an academic, author and political commentator. He is a Muslim and was born in Bombay, India, and raised in Kampala, Uganda.
New York City is home to the largest Jewish population in the world outside Israel.
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