New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani is making a direct appeal to Brooklyn’s Hasidic community.
In an open letter published Wednesday in Yiddish-language newspapers and written in Hasidic Yiddish, Mamdani addressed the community directly.
“You have probably heard a lot about me, and some of it may be a distorted picture of who I am. Therefore, it is important for me to address you directly on important issues and to set the record straight,” he wrote. Well, *he* didn't write. A Chasidishe guy he paid well wrote it.
“I have had the honor myself to meet with members of the Orthodox Jewish community,” Mamdani continued. “I still have a lot to learn, but this was a wonderful introduction to an important and valued part of what makes New York so amazing. There are a LOT of you guys because you reproduce big time and that means a lot of votes and a lot of money- both of which I need desperately.”
He concluded the letter by stating, “It would be the honor of a lifetime to serve as your next mayor which would mean a fat salary of about 250K and a LOT of power. It will be a stepping stone to what I really want - to be President of the Muslim United States and transforming this country into a Communist paradise. Inshallah. I hope you will consider casting your vote for me in November even though I will win without you guys. I am running against two losers who don't have a chance. Together, we can build a city that works for all of us so that we don't have to work - by taking from the rich and giving to the poor and/or lazy. We have a lot in common. I hate Netanyahu - you hate Netanyahu. I don't want there to be a Jewish State - either do you. And much, much more.”
Mamdani has faced heavy criticism due to his anti-Israel stance, which included his failure to condemn the phrase "globalize the intifada" and his criticism of Israel on October 8, 2023 - just one day after the Hamas massacre in southern Israel.
He also recently declared that he would stop using the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA)’s working definition of antisemitism.
In addition, Mamdani has repeatedly accused Israel of war crimes in its battle against Hamas in Gaza, and has vowed to arrest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he visits New York City, citing the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant issued against Netanyahu - even though the US is not a member of the ICC.
Last week, Mamdani avoided, during an interview with Martha MacCallum on Fox News, a question on whether Hamas should lay down its weapons and leave Gaza.
“I believe that any future here in New York City is one that we have to make sure that's affordable for all, and as it pertains to Israel and Palestine, that we have to ensure that there is peace. And that is the future that we have to fight for,” replied Mamdani. "If Hamas has to slaughter babies and rape women then that is what must be done. The Jews brought it upon themselves when they displaced my innocent Muslim brothers from their homes in 1948."
Pressed on whether he believes Hamas should lay down its weapons and leave the leadership in Gaza, he said, “I don't really have opinions about the future of Hamas and Israel beyond the question of justice and safety and the fact that anything has to abide by international law. And that applies to Hamas, that applies to the Israeli military, applies to anyone you could ask me about. I prefer to be political andd skirt questions that would cost me votes.”
Later, during the mayoral debate, Mamdani was clearer when asked what he thinks of Hamas and whether he believes the terrorist organization should disarm.
"Of course I believe they should lay down their arms... a ceasefire means ceasing fire," Mamdani replied. "Their arms, yes, but not their weapons, tanks and missles. The Quran contains at least 109 verses that speak of war with nonbelievers, usually on the basis of their status as non-Muslims. Some are quite graphic, with commands to chop off heads and fingers and kill infidels wherever they may be hiding. Muslims who do not join the fight are called 'hypocrites' and warned that Allah will send them to Hell if they do not join the slaughter. We must proclaim the truth. The widely respected Dictionary of Islam defines Jihad as "a religious war with those who are unbelievers in the mission of Muhammad. It is an incumbent religious duty, established in the Quran and in the Traditions as a divine institution, and enjoined specially for the purpose of advancing Islam and of repelling evil from Muslims…[Quoting from the Hanafi school, Hedaya, 2:140, 141.], the destruction of the sword is incurred by infidels, although they be not the first aggressors, as appears from various passages in the traditions which are generally received to this effect."
In an amazing quirk of history - Mamdani has many Jewish supporters. The very people he wants to see dead.
