I asked GEMINI AI for a possible explanation for the 182% rise (so far) in anti-semitism under Mamdani.
In January 2026, the first month of Zohran Mamdani’s term as Mayor of New York City, NYPD data reported a 182% increase in anti-semitic hate crimes compared to January 2025.
In January 2026, the first month of Zohran Mamdani’s term as Mayor of New York City, NYPD data reported a 182% increase in anti-semitic hate crimes compared to January 2025.
From a right-wing or pro-Israel perspective, this spike is not seen as a coincidence but as a direct result of “ideological signaling” and policy shifts that critics argue have emboldened bad actors.
## ## 1. Revoking the IHRA Definition of Antisemitism
On his first day in office (January 1, 2026), Mamdani issued an executive order revoking the city’s adoption of the **International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA)** definition of antisemitism.
* **The Right-Wing Critique:** The IHRA definition includes “holding Jews collectively responsible for actions of the state of Israel” as a form of antisemitism. By scrapping it, critics argue Mamdani removed the city’s primary legal and educational tool for identifying modern antisemitism, effectively “decriminalizing” certain forms of harassment in the public eye.
## ## 2. Rollback of Anti-BDS Orders
Mamdani nullified several executive orders from his predecessor, Eric Adams, including those that barred city agencies from boycotting or divesting from Israeli entities.
* **The Right-Wing Critique:** Critics characterize this as a “pro-BDS” (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) stance that signals to the city that targeting Jewish-owned businesses or Israeli-linked institutions is politically acceptable.
## ## 3. Rhetoric and “Ideological Gasoline”
Following the 182% surge, Israel’s Foreign Ministry accused Mamdani of pouring **”antisemitic gasoline on an open fire.”**
* **The Right-Wing Critique:** Critics point to Mamdani’s history—such as co-founding the *Students for Justice in Palestine* chapter at Bowdoin and his support for the “Not On Our Dime!” Act—as evidence that his leadership provides “top-cover” for radicals. They argue that when a Mayor refuses to recognize Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state, it signals to antisemites that Jewish New Yorkers are “fair game.”
## ## 4. Policing and Protest Policy
Mamdani has proposed disbanding the NYPD’s **Strategic Response Group (SRG)**, the unit responsible for responding to large-scale protests.
* **The Right-Wing Critique:** The Right argues that by signaling a “hands-off” approach to aggressive anti-Israel demonstrations, Mamdani has created a vacuum where protesters feel emboldened to harass Jewish residents without fear of immediate police intervention.
### ### Snapshot of January 2026 (NYPD Data)
| Category | Statistic |
| — | — |
| **Antisemitic Incidents** | 31 reported (Approx. 1 per day) |
| **Year-over-Year Increase** | **182%** (vs. January 2025) |
| **Share of Total Hate Crimes** | 54% of all bias crimes in NYC |
> **Notable Incidents in the First Month:**
> * **Chabad Headquarters Attack:** A driver repeatedly rammed a vehicle into the Chabad Lubavitch World Headquarters in Brooklyn.
> * **Borough Park Vandalism:** Two teenagers were charged with drawing over 70 swastikas on a Jewish playground.
> * **Assault on a Rabbi:** A Queens rabbi was assaulted on International Holocaust Remembrance Day.