During a benefit dinner, Benjamin Tisch, brother of the NYC Police Chief Jessica Tisch, labeled incoming Mayor Zoran Mamdani an “enemy” of the Jewish community, expressing deep concern over the city’s future.
The criticism came as Tisch was awarding a prize at the Metropolitan Council’s annual holiday event on Wednesday night, where he took aim at the radical Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) member Mamdani.
Tisch, who identifies as Jewish, fears the implications of Mamdani’s election, especially considering the mayor-elect’s stance on Israel and his controversial comments about potentially arresting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the ongoing Gaza conflict.
The Metropolitan Council focuses on alleviating poverty within the Jewish community and hosts its yearly gala at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Columbus Circle.
This fiery speech follows Police Chief Jessica Tisch’s decision to stay on under Mamdani, despite differing views on significant issues like bail reform and Israel.
Just days prior, Apollo Global Management’s CEO Mark Rowan echoed similar sentiments at another gala, criticizing Mamdani’s perspectives.
“Anyone who incorporates anti-Semitism into their campaigns and makes it seem acceptable is our adversary,” Rowan stated at the UJA Federation Wall Street event.
The Tisch family, aside from Jessica, reportedly invested millions backing Andrew Cuomo during his run to oppose Mamdani’s progressive agenda.
In response to the concerns, Jessica Tisch acknowledged the community’s fears, expressing her belief that Mamdani would aim to represent all New Yorkers, including Jewish residents. Attempts to reach Benjamin Tisch and Mamdani’s campaign for comments went unanswered.
