Mayor Adams Addresses Anti-Semitic Protests in Manhattan
On Monday, Mayor Eric Adams visited a historic synagogue in Manhattan that had been targeted by anti-Israel demonstrators, promising to stand firm against hate.
Returning to New York City after a nine-day trip abroad, he made his first stop at Park East Synagogue on the Upper East Side. Just last week, a hostile crowd congregated there, chanting phrases like “globalization of the intifada” and “death to the IDF.”
“We don’t back down in the face of hate. We show up,” Adams expressed on a social media platform.
He shared that he was “proudly” standing alongside Rabbi Arthur Schneier and the congregation to “celebrate Jewish life and reaffirm our strong ties to Israel following last week’s anti-Semitic demonstrations.”
“Neither anti-Semitism nor any other form of hatred has a place in New York City,” he emphasized.
Photos circulating online captured the mayor with Rabbi Schneier and engaging with members of various synagogues.
Last Wednesday night, around 200 protesters, organized by the anti-Israel group Pal Auda, clashed at the synagogue with individuals attending a pro-Zionist gala supporting Jewish immigration to Israel. One protest leader urged the crowd, saying, “It’s our duty to make them think twice before holding these events,” repeating, “We need to scare them.”
While Adams was out of the city during these protests, First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro voiced his discontent over the NYPD’s inability to disperse the hateful protesters from the site.
Over the weekend, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch acknowledged the department’s shortcomings in handling the situation and extended an apology to the synagogue.
A senior official from the Trump administration reported that federal authorities are now involved.
“New York may not have been able to protect these believers, but we at the Department of Justice definitely won’t allow that!” Harmeet Dilton, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, posted on social media.
She added that these incidents involve federal civil rights and criminal laws, assuring that a comprehensive investigation is underway, and stating, “Every place of worship in America is sacred!”
Adams had initially left for Israel on November 14 and spent several days in Uzbekistan before returning to commemorate his visit to the synagogue.
The protests had escalated dramatically, leading to violent chants at the entrance.
Adams poked fun at speculations about his absence as Public Advocate Jumaane Williams humorously declared on Friday that he was prepared to take over if the mayor didn’t return soon.
The city charter dictates that if the mayor is unavailable for nine consecutive days, the public defender steps in, but Adams returned on Sunday.
“It should make you feel a little sick to see a four-year effort to become mayor by any means other than gaining voter support ultimately fail and go up in flames,” Adams remarked in a social media post. “I sincerely hope that you find peace and happiness in the future.”
