NEW YORK (PIX11) -- The leading candidates for New York City mayor say they have plans to fight a rise in antisemitism.
One in 10 New Yorkers is Jewish, making it the largest Jewish population outside of Israel.
Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo spoke to a congregation on the Upper West Side, and his rivals seized on his speech, calling it self-serving and desperate.
Andrew Cuomo, a Catholic, addressed the Jewish congregation and confessed that the persistence of antisemitism in New York surprised him. "I'm sorry for the mistaken assumption I made that widespread antisemitism could never happen again," Cuomo said.
Cuomo called it one of the most complex and serious issues the campaign plans to combat and told the West Side Institutional Synagogue on Tuesday night that he is committed to doing so. "The Jewish community is fighting back, and when hate and discrimination are revealed, it is defeated," he said.
The former governor pledged to make Israel studies part of childhood education and said he would push to pass a mask ban if elected.
"Dressing up as a Hamas terrorist to demonstrate, bringing back the pain and fear of Oct. 7, is cruel," Cuomo said.
In his speech, Cuomo also called out his closest rival in the race, including Queens Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, a Muslim, labeling him a radical left socialist.
However, the 33-year-old progressive told PIX11 News he has a plan to combat hate with a would-be Department of Community Safety. "A core focus would be addressing the rise in hate crimes, and our plan gives an 800% increase in funding," Mamdani said.
Mamdani emphasized that he recognizes Israel as a state and welcomes the opportunity to speak to the same congregation and Jewish communities about fighting antisemitism. "Andrew Cuomo's framing reveals that he cares only about one thing—himself—and he's willing to weaponize any issue," Mamdani said.
The West Side synagogue has invited every candidate to speak to Jewish voters, who represent 600,000 potential Democratic registered voters in New York.
"It is not a partisan issue. We want to make sure our community feels safe," said Mark Gibber, president of the synagogue.
Mayor Eric Adams spent the weekend preparing for Passover with Jewish communities in Brooklyn and has repeatedly condemned antisemitism.
However, under his watch, antisemitic incidents account for half of all hate crimes in the city, according to the NYPD.
A City Hall spokesperson said on Wednesday, Mayor Eric Adams and the NYPD will announce enhanced measures to keep Jewish New Yorkers safe during Passover.
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