700+ Rabbis Demand Mamdani Apologize for AIPAC 'Monsters' Remark
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jun 26
700+ Rabbis Demand Mamdani Apologize for AIPAC 'Monsters' Remark
1 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jun 26
Summary
More than 700 rabbis urged New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani to apologize and retract remarks describing AIPAC as "monsters," saying the language dehumanizes Jews and endangers Jewish Americans.
The backlash centers on Mamdani's June 18 rally comments accusing AIPAC of using millions in dark money to preserve power and turn people against one another.
Mamdani defended the remark this week, saying he was invoking Antonio Gramsci and referring more broadly to forces — including super PACs — blocking a "new world," not only AIPAC.
Josh Gottheimer called the comments "laundering antisemitism," while ADL chief Jonathan Greenblatt said the rhetoric was prejudiced and especially dangerous in a city with more than 1 million Jews.
Amidst shifting global opinions, what are the consequences for politicians who challenge powerful pro-Israel advocacy groups?
When political speech targets a lobby, where is the line between valid criticism and dangerous dehumanization?
“Monsters” Controversy: Mayor Mamdani’s AIPAC Critique Sparks Antisemitism Accusations and Political Upheaval in New York
Overview
On June 26, 2026, a group of rabbis and cantors sent an open letter to Mayor Zohran Mamdani, demanding an immediate apology and retraction of his previous remarks. Their letter highlighted growing concerns about the impact of the mayor’s rhetoric on the Jewish community, stressing the need for him to affirm that Jews and pro-Israel Americans are full participants in democracy. The religious leaders drew a clear line between fair political debate and what they saw as demonization of Jews and Israel supporters. Echoing these worries, Jonathan Schulman urged the mayor to lower the temperature before tensions escalate further.