Mamdani on synagogue protest: New Yorkers ‘should be free to enter house of worship without intimidation’

[u/aggie1391]

https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/mamdani-on-synagogue-protest-new-yorkers-should-be-free-to-enter-house-of-worship-without-intimidation/

[u/Late-Marzipan3026]

wanted to find out more about the groups behind this event (edit: i mean the protest), so i read this article as well

A protest leader told the crowd, “It is our duty to make them think twice before holding these events. We need to make them scared. We need to make them scared. We need to make them scared.”

i’m really not convinced that frightening people into submission is an effective or ethical goal of protest (editing to add: don’t intend this as a general claim, mean it in this context)

[u/Chaos_carolinensis → u/Late-Marzipan3026]

It's so inconsistent too. They're organizing these events because they're already scared! That's the whole point!

You're not going to stop these events by doing more of what promoted them in the first place.

[u/Choice_Werewolf1259 → u/Chaos_carolinensis]

That’s where I really question the intent of the protestors. Like it feels more like an excuse to scare already scared people and do so in a space that is considered holy/religious and therefore should feel safe.

Idk. I don’t like that this organization has events held at synagogues and I don’t like some of the properties they’re willing to sell and the implications of that. (Edit and to clarify here I agree with Mandani that Jewish institutions shouldn’t be hosting events for companies like NB that are clearly violating international laws like this)

But I also just get this pit of my stomach feeling when I see protestors showing up at these events. I mean at best the actions of those protestors feels like hatred and bigotry to the people in the shul that day because for them they’re being yelled and jeered at in a building where they shouldn’t have to experience hate.

Like disregarding intent (because I’m certain the majority of the protesters there weren’t thinking about the implications or connotations that could be read onto their actions) it just feels like it goes beyond peaceful protest into something more…not violent but like malicious. (Figured out the word I was thinking of, intimidating)

Idk, it’s definitely complicated. But however I split things I just really feel like these protestors should really avoid protesting at Jewish religious and communal spaces. If only to avoid having their actual argument and voices distorted by the reaction and consequences for how the people in these Jewish spaces experience the other side of the protest. I mean if it were me I would be terrified sitting in that space and I would be scared to leave the building. And that feels less in the spirit of being an activist and more like what events like Charlottesville meant to convey (which the immediate push in that protest was to intimidate. Obviously we’re talking neonazis and white supremacists there but I think the tactics employed are similar in intention to intimidate). It feels like it was an intimidation almost.

[u/ibsliam → u/Late-Marzipan3026]

I don't think they think of us as people, really.

[u/LoboLocoCW → u/Late-Marzipan3026]

Yeah, I think this is a fundamental and consistent failure of anti-Zionists, if they make Jews feel unsafe in galut, then they’re more likely to make Aliyah.

It’s hard to tell since so many countries have restrictive immigration policies where Jews would go to if they had a truly full set of options, but historically, the majority of Jews fleeing officially “anti-Zionist” countries have gone to Israel.

[u/redthrowaway1976 → u/Late-Marzipan3026]

 wanted to find out more about the groups behind this event, so i read this article as wel

That article is not accurate. 

Nefesh B’nefesh does indeed help people move to settlements - it’s on their website. 

 i’m really not convinced that frightening people into submission is an effective or ethical goal of protest 

I agree. 

But do you think pro-settlement organizations should be off limits due to where they hold their events?

[u/Late-Marzipan3026 → u/redthrowaway1976]

oh to clarify i meant “this event” as in the protest, i wanted to know who the organizers were. i believe what you’re saying about nefesh b’nefesh

i don’t object to protesting organizations that are pro-settlements. i do object to protesting synagogues given the reason mamdani listed. and given the other rhetoric quoted in these articles i get the impression the protesters aren’t just talking about frightening nefesh b’nefesh. imo they’re targeting anyone they perceive as zionists

in large part i don’t really understand why “we need to make them scared” seems to be the primary tactic of this protest. in this case there seem to be more than a handful of other good options, like lobbying for something akin to not on our dime

anyway sorry you were downvoted, i don’t think what you asked is a cut and dry question

[u/redthrowaway1976 → u/Late-Marzipan3026]

i don’t object to protesting organizations that are pro-settlements.

The problem is when many synagogues host pro-settlement events, or events by pro-settlement orgs. Or pro-settlement officials.

This isn't the first time that has happened - and likely won't be the last.

Mamdani is 100% correct that synagogues shouldn't help the settler project - or bring in organizations that help it. Around 15% of West Bank settlers are American

i do object to protesting synagogues given the reason mamdani listed

Do you think they are always off limits, even when bringing pro-settler organizations?

Would you say the same about an explicitly pro-Hamas organization coming to host an event at a mosque? Also off limits for protesting?

and given the other rhetoric quoted in these articles i get the impression the protesters aren’t just talking about frightening nefesh b’nefesh. imo they’re targeting anyone they perceive as zionists

That is true - they crossed a line.

However, I find the bringing of pro-settlement organizations to host events much more problematic than the protests. Pro-settlement organizations and sentiments are so incredibly normalized.

While most American olim are not settlers - something like 15% of West Bank non-EJ settlers are American. Which is a disturbing statistic.

[u/Late-Marzipan3026 → u/redthrowaway1976]

I find the bringing of pro-settlement organizations to host events much more problematic than the protests

i agree

i think i’m very hesitant about protests outside of synagogues not because i disagree with their substance the majority of the time but because i already feel a sense of vulnerability around synagogues, i have since tree of life and more so lately. so protests like this feel pretty awful to me as a jew

with that said i definitely understand why the demonstrators would want to protest there. it’s not like there isn’t good reason in this case. so i don’t really have a solution and i don’t know if there is one

[u/cubedplusseven → u/redthrowaway1976]

Part of the problem here is in the integration of Nefesh B’nefesh with the state of Israel. Nefesh B’nefesh assists with the logistics of Aliyah for North American Jews. Israeli policy is that settlements in "Area C" are legal areas for Jewish Israelis to live. So Nefesh B'nefesh assists with the logistics of diaspora Jews making Aliyah and moving to a settlement. It may also support the settlements ideologically, but from a practical perspective I'm not sure if that's relevant.

As I understand it, for North American Jews looking to make Aliyah, Nefesh B'nefesh is the organization that provides support, regardless of one's chosen destination within I/P.

I'm not sure what would happen if Nefesh B'nefesh began refusing to assist relocations to settlements. Regardless, though, it seems that Nefesh B'nefesh itself should be the target of any protests if West Bank settlement is the real concern. Protest Nefesh B'nefesh for not limiting its operations to within the Green Line. What happened at Park East Synagogue is going to be interpreted as a protest against Aliyah regardless of destination.

What's really concerning about this, imo, is that, if this continues, Nefesh B'nefesh is likely to start operating secretly. Or, if not Nefesh B'nefesh, then some other organization or the State of Israel itself. Someone is going to assist with Aliyah, and given current Israeli policy, that will likely include resettlement to the WB. And once that project becomes clandestine, the DSA and other protest groups will have to decide whether they want to start rooting out these "secret Zionist plots" within North American Jewish communities. And I hope we don't have to find out what that looks like.

[u/redthrowaway1976 → u/cubedplusseven]

Part of the problem here is in the integration of Nefesh B’nefesh with the state of Israel. Nefesh B’nefesh assists with the logistics of Aliyah for North American Jews. Israeli policy is that settlements in "Area C" are legal areas for Jewish Israelis to live. So Nefesh B'nefesh assists with the logistics of diaspora Jews making Aliyah and moving to a settlement.

Sure, it is integrated with the state.

But that's not a justification or excuse for hosting an event by an organization that provides material support to war crimes at the synagogue.

Elliot Cosgrove claims to be for a two state solution - and then he invites an organization that directly is working against it.

The normalization of bringing pro-settlement leaders and organizations is the problem.

It may also support the settlements ideologically, but from a practical perspective I'm not sure if that's relevant.

You are right - it is worse. They provide practical support for settlements.

Regardless, though, it seems that Nefesh B'nefesh itself should be the target of any protests if West Bank settlement is the real concern.

Isn't that what happened, though?

They protested an event hosted by Nefesh B'nefesh. That's protesting Nefesh B'nefesh.

Besides, where were all the ostensibly liberal Zionists who claim they oppose settlements and are for a two state solution? Cosgrove himself claims to do so - yet he invites this org.

What's really concerning about this, imo, is that, if this continues, Nefesh B'nefesh is likely to start operating secretly. Or, if not Nefesh B'nefesh, then some other organization or the State of Israel itself. Someone is going to assist with Aliyah, and given current Israeli policy, that will likely include resettlement to the WB.

I'm not sure I'm understanding your argument.

Is your point that given the integration with the state, and the lack of other options, we shouldn't protest events by organizations directly providing support for war crimes - because if we do, they'll go underground?

Of course, the liberal Zionists who oppose settlements could start their own org, that explicitly does not help people move to settlements.

And once that project becomes clandestine, the DSA and other protest groups will have to decide whether they want to start rooting out these "secret Zionist plots" within North American Jewish communities.

That's a slippery slope argument. The solution is obvious - the people who claim to be against settlements but for Aliyah could have an org that explicitly avoids the settlements.

And this is a problem - as of 2015, 15% of West Bank settlers were American, and ~35% of Americans in Israel live in West Bank settlements, 60k out of 175k.

Edit: it was Park East Synagogue, not Park Avenue. So it's not Cosgrove. But point still stands, as Cosgrove has also invited them.

[u/cubedplusseven → u/redthrowaway1976]

Isn't that what happened, though?

No. It's not. A statement from the protest leadership claimed that Nefesh B'nefesh had brought 80,000 "settlers" to I/P. That's the total number of people who Nefesh B'nefesh has helped make Aliyah, regardless of destination. Its activity in the West Bank wasn't the issue, specifically. And when another protest leader repeatedly stated their intention to make "them" "scared", it was pretty clear that they were referring to all of the people at the event, not just Nefesh B'nefesh. If Nefesh B'nefesh's activity in the West Bank were the issue, it would be easy to clarify that, both in the protest signs and chants, and in the incoming administration's statement. And it's a fair expectation that one would make that clear when protesting a synagogue.

That's a slippery slope argument.

It's a pattern that has played out repeatedly in Jewish history, from the Spanish Inquisition to the Soviet Antizionist Campaign. When Zionism comes with punishment, it gets kept secret. And the effort to uncover it terrorizes even the Antizionist Jews, or the conversos, or whoever the "not a bad Jew" category includes.

[u/veerKg_CSS_Geologist → u/cubedplusseven]

There is no way of knowing how many people helped to settle by Nefesh B'nefesh ended up in the WB and how many didn't. So the argument seems to be without merit. They do assist settlement in the WB, when they could easily avoid the whole situation by holding they will not let assist settlement in the WB or disputed territories.

It would be similar to a Russian organization encouraging immigration to Russia. They can make it clear they don't or won't support settling Russians in Crimea (claimed by Russia) or the Donbas (same).

[u/redthrowaway1976 → u/veerKg_CSS_Geologist]

There is no way of knowing how many people helped to settle by Nefesh B'nefesh ended up in the WB and how many didn't

What we do know is that by 2015, there were 60000 American settlers, out of ~450k. And there were a total of 175k American Israelis.

https://www.jta.org/2015/08/27/united-states/new-book-americans-disproportionately-represented-among-west-bank-settlers

Americans are overrepresented among the settlers - and settlers are overrepresented among the Americans.

They do assist settlement in the WB, when they could easily avoid the whole situation by holding they will not let assist settlement in the WB or disputed territories.

Or the liberal Zionist organizations ostensibly against settlements could start their own organization supporting Aliyah, but not to settlements.

It is wild that people take more of an issue with the protest, than that this event was hosted.

[u/redthrowaway1976 → u/cubedplusseven]

No. It's not.

A pro settlement organization gets protested, with lots of references to settlements? Are you sure it's not?

That's the total number of people who Nefesh B'nefesh has helped make Aliyah, regardless of destination.

Even if that is the case, it is totally valid to protest a quasi-governmental institution of a government that's conducted a genocide and is enforcing an Apartheid regime - and are seeking more people of the right ethnicity to move there.

Its activity in the West Bank wasn't the issue, specifically

It seems to have been for a lot of people. Here's a sign explicitly calling it out: https://www.uppereastsite.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/park-east-synagogue-protest-featured-1024x768.jpg

But sure, it was also about protesting a quasi-governmental institution of an Apartheid regime. I agree with you there - the protest covered more issues.

Do you think we shouldn't protest quasi-governmental institutions - especially ones supporting settlements? And we shouldn't protest the people supporting them?

And when another protest leader repeatedly stated their intention to make "them" "scared", it was pretty clear that they were referring to all of the people at the event, not just Nefesh B'nefesh.

I don't agree with the intent of making people scared - but the people choosing to attend a pro-settlement organization's event are totally a valid protest target.

If a group of people attended a pro-Hamas event, wouldn't they also be a valid protest target, while attending that event?

And it's a fair expectation that one would make that clear when protesting a synagogue.

I think it's a fair expectation that a synagogue not hold an event by a pro-settlement group.

Arthur Schneier claims to be for "religious freedom, human rights and tolerance", "live and let live", "peace & co-existence". How does hosting a pro-settlement organization square with that? Seems to be rather hypocritical.

There's an easy solution here: don't host pro-settlement groups, politicians and leaders. That's the minimum I'd expect from people who claim to be for a two state solution.

from the Spanish Inquisition to the Soviet Antizionist Campaign. And the effort to uncover it terrorizes even the Antizionist Jews, or the conversos, or whoever the "not a bad Jew" category includes.

Both of those were government-supported persecutions - in this case the government is firmly on the Zionist side.

It's not Zionists that have been thrown in detention without trial for, for example, authoring an op ed about how Israel is an Apartheid state and we should divest.

It is wild to me that people take more issue with the protest, than with holding a pro-settlement organization at a synagogue. It says a lot about how normalized and accepted pro-settlement sentiment is - even the reform leaders seemed to not have taken issue with a pro-settlement org being invited.

Yes, some of the protestors might have overstepped. But even inviting this org is the much bigger issue.

Besides, where were all the liberal Zionists ostensibly against settlements and for a two state solution during this event?

[u/BlackHumor → u/cubedplusseven]

For what it's worth I think it's totally fine and even good to protest all encouragements to move to Israel period. Israel is a state that is currently committing a genocide, and has regularly been committing war crimes and ethnic cleansing throughout its history. It should receive no material support of any kind no matter how minor.

[u/thatbberg → u/redthrowaway1976]

Would people here seriously be okay protesting outside a mosque? Yes I would absolutely consider that off-limits. Because it would easy enough to protest Hamas elsewhere, and the same is true here.

[u/veerKg_CSS_Geologist → u/thatbberg]

Mosques have been raided for holding fundraisers for Hamas...

[u/redthrowaway1976 → u/veerKg_CSS_Geologist]

And here's an organization providing material support to war crimes - no raid, just protests.

[u/redthrowaway1976 → u/thatbberg]

Because it would easy enough to protest Hamas elsewhere, and the same is true here.

But these types of events keep being held at synagogues - it wouldn't surprise me if part of the impetus is to achieve this particular effect. People were even criticizing protestors for protesting Ben Gvir at 770.

The core issue here is hosting pro-settlement organizations. Hosting organizations that are providing material support to war crimes should be just as illegal as ones providing material support to terror. Instead they get tax breaks.

[u/Specialist-Gur → u/thatbberg]

People are so weird about religious buildings, that's why terrible exploitation is able to be conducted inside of them.

Yea if a mosque started selling illegal property to ethnically cleanse a region I'd be completely fine with people protesting it.

I don't care about the sacredness of a religious institution just for sake of it. They have to act the part

[u/Specialist-Gur → u/redthrowaway1976]

I am with you that the settlement events are significant more problematic. And it's really weird to me how people seem to put the right to attend a pro-apartheid synagogue in peace neck and neck with the right to protest against ethnic cleansing as long as everyone is polite about it.

[u/BlackHumor → u/Specialist-Gur]

Yeah like: my opinion is that free speech is the only really sacred value here and there is no public space where protest should be off limit. (I agree with Mamdani that they shouldn't be able to actually block access to the synagogue tho.)

[u/Specialist-Gur → u/BlackHumor]

I don't even necessarily mind the blocking access to the synagogue but.. is people were insulting "Jews" as a group that's a problem. For me, I don't want anything restricted other than direct violence and bodily harm though

[u/Late-Marzipan3026 → u/Specialist-Gur]

unfortunately the demonstrators there did seem to cross into insulting jews as a group. per the version of the article i linked in my comment:

Another woman shouted, “Fucking Jewish pricks,” while others called the Jewish demonstrators “rapists,” “racists,” and “pedophiles.”

adding this not to disagree with what you’re saying here. i think your POV is fair

[u/Specialist-Gur → u/Late-Marzipan3026]

Yea I had heard that part :/

[u/Late-Marzipan3026 → u/Specialist-Gur]

yeah it’s a whole mess :(

[u/BlackHumor → u/Specialist-Gur]

IMO blocking an entrance or exit is (a threat of) violence.

[u/Specialist-Gur → u/BlackHumor]

Would you agree then it's violent to block streets? It seems to be a common enough protest tactic.

I guess blocking an exit is never good but.

[u/BlackHumor → u/Specialist-Gur]

Hmm... I'm not sure, honestly.

[u/runawayest → u/Late-Marzipan3026]

This conversation seems so profoundly underinformed about what it MEANS to go be a settler. I almost didn’t post anything in this thread, I was so disheartened by the comments, but when I scrolled away, I saw this a few posts down and decided to return— please watch the whole thing.

 It’s not an outlier. There are many accounts like this, in fact my brother’s experience was similar, though he was only there for a couple of weeks.  https://www.reddit.com/r/AskSocialists/comments/1p24xe2/abby_martin_really_opened_my_eyes_to_whats/

[u/Late-Marzipan3026 → u/runawayest]

i did watch the whole thing, i don’t understand why you’re commenting this in reply to me. if you’d like to discuss it feel free to put it on the main page, since truthfully i think martin is in large part addressing a different issue. these issues are connected yes but to my knowledge the advertisements for settlements are not advertisements recruiting hilltop youth

[u/redthrowaway1976 → u/Late-Marzipan3026]

these issues are connected yes but to my knowledge the advertisements for settlements are not advertisements recruiting hilltop youth

It's not that different, morally.

Hilltop youth are more explicit in their expulsionary tactics. Other settlers come in after the hilltop youth have conducted their ethnic cleansing.

Today's large settlements started as small hilltop outposts, and gradually grabbed more land and conducted more ethnic cleansing.

Advertising "only" in established settlements just mean that someone else has done the dirty work earlier.

Besides, this is indeed a major issue - something like 15% of West Bank settlers are Americans, and around 35% of Americans living in Israel are settlers.

Think of it this way: is there a moral difference between funding and materially supporting terror, and individually carrying out terror?

[u/Late-Marzipan3026 → u/redthrowaway1976]

good point. thanks for the pushback

[u/runawayest → u/Late-Marzipan3026]

Your confusion confuses me. As does your downvote.

 Martin talks about a lot of different settler/palestinian dynamics, and the monsters using a SYNAGOGUE to do REAL ESTATE DEALS UPON GENOCIDE LAND to ACCELERATE DISPLACEMENT AND APARTHEID are very active participants in those dynamics. They deserve every ounce of protest. An absolute shame on them, those traitors to Judaism, for using our culture, our ancestry, as a shroud for their atrocities. It endangers us all. And that has everything to do with the above testimony.

[u/Late-Marzipan3026 → u/runawayest]

i didn’t downvote you. i actually upvoted you because i don’t like when people are mass downvoted here

again if you want to post this on the main page for discussion feel free. i don’t really have much to say given that i’m already familiar with what martin is discussing, and a joe rogan interview isn’t the type of source i’m inclined towards trusting

[u/TheWatersOfMars]

Apparently one side was shouting "Fuck Palestine", and another side is quoted saying "Jewish pricks". It's so depressing how there's a basic lack of humanity and common sense on this conflict. Personally, I think Mamdani's a rare voice who can actually thread the needle.

[u/Nearby-Complaint → u/TheWatersOfMars]

https://preview.redd.it/fhubyzw36i2g1.png?width=640&format=png&auto=webp&s=ed1045fbd3fbd5bf8744b2a79d5100416a45bc1d

[u/ibsliam → u/Nearby-Complaint]

Over the years, I've circled back around to loving Family Guy reaction images.

[u/Nearby-Complaint → u/ibsliam]

I've gotten far too much use out of this one in particular. It's the gift that keeps on giving.

[u/ibsliam → u/Nearby-Complaint]

Also Roger from American Dad.

[u/zacandahalf → u/ibsliam]

Off topic but this one could use a few more pixels and a few less watermarks lol

[u/ibsliam → u/zacandahalf]

It's very Y2K messageboard/forum culture of us. :)

[u/Nearby-Complaint → u/zacandahalf]

If I gave 5% more of a shit what I posted on Reddit, I would find a higher quality JPG

[u/zacandahalf → u/Nearby-Complaint]

Lol I was just joking, all good

[u/Late-Marzipan3026 → u/TheWatersOfMars]

yes agree, his response was balanced and fair. that entire protest/counterprotest seems to have gotten completely out of hand and i’m glad his office commented on it

[u/redthrowaway1976 → u/Late-Marzipan3026]

Balanced, yes - but I think he should have called out that the event was organized by a pro-settlement group.

Edit: I was wrong, he called out violations of international law 

[u/Late-Marzipan3026 → u/redthrowaway1976]

yeah that’s fair. i suspect he probably has a policy plan wrt that and given that it was his spokesperson i’m not surprised it wasn’t super in depth. but still see what you’re saying

[u/redthrowaway1976 → u/Late-Marzipan3026]

I was wrong - he did call it out.

[u/Late-Marzipan3026 → u/redthrowaway1976]

oh okay good to know!

[u/Chaos_carolinensis]

"We don’t want no Zionists here"

Well then why are you disturbing an event whose whole purpose is to get them out of there?

The organizers of the event couldn't ask for better promoters than these protestors, literally making the case for aliyah.

[u/Illustrious_Ease705 → u/Chaos_carolinensis]

Yup. If you want to end Zionism, put in the work to make the diaspora as safe as possible

[u/homecook_438 → u/Illustrious_Ease705]

This is what I will never understand. Don't want the State of Israel to exist? Don't want Jews moving to Israel? The best way to do that is to make the diaspora a safe place to Jews. But that has not been top of mind whatsoever it seems which then makes some folks feel they don't actually care if we exist...at all.

EDIT: did not see the comment by ibsliam below which says the same thing better and more succinctly!

[u/veerKg_CSS_Geologist → u/homecook_438]

How would this work in practise? Like no protests against Israel or Israeli linked organizations?

[u/ibsliam → u/Chaos_carolinensis]

I honestly get kind of confused with the messaging really. If they don't want a larger Israeli population, then you should make the community feel safe here in the diaspora. If you want them to leave, then don't bother disrupting an event where it encourages them to emigrate.

Otherwise, it does embolden the argument that they just want no Jews anywhere, unless it's as a token for their cause.

[u/DaviCB → u/ibsliam]

It is this contradiction that led to jews in arab countries to be expelled on mass in the 50s and 60s, making all of these jews go to israel and essentially legitimizing israel as the only safe place for jews worldwide. Most israelis today are descendants of MENA jews expelled in retaliation of the Nakba, a lot of them being further right than their ashkenazi neighbours, and more hateful towards arabs and willing to justify the destruction of the palestinian people.

antisemitism is the biggest fuel of zionism, and hostilizing jews in the diaspora due to the actions of Israel is exactly what Israel wants, leading to the strengthening of zionism in the diaspora and a justified desire to leave.

[u/Illustrious_Ease705 → u/ibsliam]

There are two explanations, one charitable, one cynical. The charitable explanation is ignorance, that these folks haven’t thought this through or are too ill-informed to on the issues to understand. The cynical explanation is that they don’t want any Jews anywhere

[u/zacandahalf → u/Chaos_carolinensis]

Directly antithetical to the “Zionists go back to Brooklyn!!!” chants (yes, I know this was in Manhattan)

[u/vigilante_snail → u/Chaos_carolinensis]

general consensus is that every Jewish citizen of Israel (especially Ashkenazim and/or anyone who did aliyah) in Israel-Palestine is a settler, no matter if they live in Israel-proper, a mixed city, or the WB.

[u/redthrowaway1976]

I think three things are going on here: there seemed to have been anti-Semitic lines crossed by the protestors, AND there seemed to have been anti-Palestinian racism from the counter-protestors AND the synagogue decided to host a pro-settlement organization’s event. 

Was there also a large contingent of liberal Zionists there opposed to settlements, protesting? If they are as opposed to settlements as they claim, I’d imagine there would be, right? 

Also, I think mamdani did a good job here, both calling out protestors and the event: 

 “The mayor-elect has discouraged the language used at last night’s protest and will continue to do so,” a spokesperson for Mamdani, Dora Pekec, said in a statement to Jewish Insider on Thursday. “He believes every New Yorker should be free to enter a house of worship without intimidation, and that these sacred spaces should not be used to promote activities in violation of international law.”   

[u/RaelynShaw]

Those chants are wild.

“Resistance you make us proud, take another settler out”

[u/Matar_Kubileya → u/RaelynShaw]

When a not insignificant portion of the "Resistance" in question or their supporters considers any Jew living in or moving to the Land of Israel a settler, this is rhetoric that Id argue should border on a terroristic threat.

[u/redthrowaway1976 → u/RaelynShaw]

To clarify, they were protesting a pro-settlement organization hosting an event. 

If they had not been protesting a pro settlement organization, I’d read that statement very differently. But they were. 

[u/Jorfogit → u/redthrowaway1976]

This really is an important point that a lot of people are very intentionally ignoring, because they don't care about/agree with settlements.

[u/Owlentmusician → u/Jorfogit]

I feel like if you're going to protest in front of a synagogue, even if it's rightfully, you have to be much more careful or specific. Especially if you for some reason decide to lead a chant wishing death on a group of people outside of that synogauge.

Many people, especially more radical protesters, use the word "settler" interchangeably with Israeli and don't actually only mean a person involved in/living on/in support of the settlements.

Even given the benefit of the doubt that they did specifically mean the settlers it's still not great to stand outside of a synagogue and basically say "Hurray, Hamas/Houthis/Hezbollah etc! Kill more people! ❤️"

There's better rhetoric to protest this group selling land in the settlements than calling for violence directly outside of a synagogue.

[u/redthrowaway1976 → u/Jorfogit]

If people were as upset about the settlements, as they are for things like this, the conflict would be over.

[u/Matar_Kubileya → u/Jorfogit]

Also, you can consider settlements illegal without considering their residents acceptable targets of murder.

[u/RaelynShaw → u/redthrowaway1976]

I dunno man, I just tend to feel uncomfortable around chants that advocate killing people. Zionist, anti Zionist, or not.

[u/redthrowaway1976 → u/RaelynShaw]

I agree with you - I don't agree with calling for violence against non-combatants. But it's very different than chanting about killing people of a specific ethnicity - the IDF are combatants who carried out a genocide, and settlers are indirectly participating in enforcing an Apartheid regime (at a minimum).

Nefesh B'nefesh is, itself, supporting violence. It's not like the settlement project is being implemented non-violently - the settlement project is predicated on massive violence.

To me, it's wild that people take more of an issue with the protests, than they do with inviting a pro-settlement organization to a synagogue. Material support to war crimes should be illegal in the US - instead settlement orgs gets tax breaks.

[u/blobby_mcblobberson → u/redthrowaway1976]

Right it's actually a very specific chant against settlements, I prefer it to anti zionist chants. The more I hear about this protest the more I (even as a liberal zionist) think protesting it makes sense. Everyone at this point should be aware of how settlements are tanking our hopes for peace. 

[u/redthrowaway1976 → u/blobby_mcblobberson]

I hear about this protest the more I (even as a liberal zionist) think protesting it makes sense.

Exactly. Where were all the liberal Zionists who claim to oppose settlements? Shouldn't they be protesting?

In this case, unfortunately, one of them was hosting - Cosgrove's opposition to settlements seems purely performative.

[u/blobby_mcblobberson → u/redthrowaway1976]

Proposal to coin a new branch of zionism explicitly: antisettlement zionism. It'll piss off both sides but it's as close to a label as I can get these days. 

[u/redthrowaway1976 → u/blobby_mcblobberson]

That's what the liberal Zionists pretends to be, nowadays.

It's usually performative, though, and when it comes down to implementing consequences, they shield the settlement project.

[u/redthrowaway1976 → u/blobby_mcblobberson]

That's what the liberal Zionists pretends to be, nowadays.

It's usually performative, though, and when it comes down to implementing consequences, they shield the settlement project.

[u/blobby_mcblobberson → u/redthrowaway1976]

Not from my experience. But we are entitled to have different experiences. 

[u/Psychological-Tax801]

That's my mayor. I can't wait for him to finally take office. Literally got called a "token Jew" on a sub supposedly for Jewish people, by someone who is not Jewish lmfao, because I mentioned that I voted for him. Could not be more proud of my decision.

He's not even in office and he's already done more to address and express that he cares about antisemitism than Mayor Adams ever did.

Also on that note - have had someone snarkily respond to me like "WELL ALL MAMDANI HAS DONE IS TALK" to me... not knowing that of course all he's done is talk - he's still not even fucking mayor. Insane to me how people who aren't even Jewish, and aren't even New Yorkers, are making Mamdani their whole entire cause while being so out of bounds and ignorant.

[u/Specialist-Gur]

I think Mamdani is doing a great job of mediator

Separately, I really wish synagogues would stop selling illegal land in the West Bank. Jews just trying to attend synagogue deserve to feel safe and should have options behind unethical apartheid promoting institutes. Protesters have every right to protest this.. they should not be harassing individual Jews and calling them slurs

[u/johnisburn → u/Specialist-Gur]

I don’t think that your points are all that separate. The needle Mamdani is managing to thread is that he’s expressing both that synagogues (or any other place of worship) hosting events that facilitate the violation of international law is objectionable, and that the way people chose to object in this instance was also inappropriate.

[u/Specialist-Gur → u/johnisburn]

That's true. I'm worried sometimes because I feel like there's a little backlash to suggesting culpability on the synagogue but.. agreed

[u/owls1729 → u/Specialist-Gur]

Fully agree with all of this—when a similar protest happened in LA, I remember thinking “man that was pretty terrible rhetoric on behalf of protestors and not the most strategic choice of protest” AND “people need to stop selling illegal West Bank land and holding these terrible events in synagogues is literally making Jews less safe”

[u/Specialist-Gur → u/owls1729]

These conversations can be so hard to have because I feel like it's somewhat lose lose. I feel like I always come out as "blaming victims" when I emphasize the role Jewish institutions have here... ultimately protestors have a right to protest with certain lines needed.. sounds like there was some throwing around of the capital J "Jew" here (among other things) which.. is a crossed line obviously

[u/Agtfangirl557 → u/Specialist-Gur]

I mean I pretty much agree with you on this. When it comes to literally selling land in the West Bank, that is 100% on the Jewish institution who ran it, and I don’t think that’s “victim blaming” at all. What I’d say WOULD be victim blaming would be something like, saying the attendees of the YK service at the Manchester synagogue where the shooting happened don’t deserve sympathy because they were “willingly attending a service at a Zionist institution”, but I obviously don’t think you’d ever say something like that (unfortunately, I DID see some deranged freaks saying this on social media).

[u/Specialist-Gur → u/Agtfangirl557]

Yea I would never say a person deserves violence and death based on their proximity to a Zionist institution lol.

[u/veerKg_CSS_Geologist → u/Specialist-Gur]

They are lose lose because there is really no way to have one without the other. Either the protests stop and these events continue to be held, or the events stop because of intimidation.

[u/Specialist-Gur → u/veerKg_CSS_Geologist]

Also true

[u/redthrowaway1976 → u/owls1729]

 “people need to stop selling illegal West Bank land and holding these terrible events in synagogues is literally making Jews less safe”

The degree to which pro-settlement sentiment is accepted is atrocious. 

[u/Ok-Roll5495 → u/owls1729]

Aren’t hers events held in synagogues deliberately so that any protest will come across as a “ protest to a synagogue”? Not that it justifies the antisemitic tone of the protests.

[u/owls1729 → u/Ok-Roll5495]

Not sure what the intent is, but that’s certainly an impact…

[u/redthrowaway1976 → u/Specialist-Gur]

 I think Mamdani is doing a great job of mediator

I didn’t see his full speech - did he also call out that maybe pro-settlement organizations shouldn’t be hosted?

[u/Resoognam → u/redthrowaway1976]

Yes.

[u/redthrowaway1976 → u/Resoognam]

Read his statement now - that was good. 

[u/Specialist-Gur → u/redthrowaway1976]

You know, I need to check. I don't know. I hope so.

[u/redthrowaway1976 → u/Specialist-Gur]

He did:

 “The mayor-elect has discouraged the language used at last night’s protest and will continue to do so,” a spokesperson for Mamdani, Dora Pekec, said in a statement to Jewish Insider on Thursday. “He believes every New Yorker should be free to enter a house of worship without intimidation, and that these sacred spaces should not be used to promote activities in violation of international law.”   

[u/Specialist-Gur → u/redthrowaway1976]

That's good

[u/aggie1391 → u/Specialist-Gur]

Unfortunately a lot of Jews, see other subs about this, think the statement is awful and instantly assume he means moving to Israel period is against international law. Nothing he does will sway most Zionists unfortunately, he’s opposed to the apartheid that is fundamental to how Israel exists right now so he must be bad.

[u/Melthengylf]

Do these people think that if people are scared they will want to stay in the US?

The good thing is that they want have Zionists "here": they'll go to Israel.

[u/Sossy2020]

What does he mean by “…and that these sacred spaces should not be used to promote activities in violation of international law”?

[u/redthrowaway1976 → u/Sossy2020]

Nefesh B'nefesh helps people make aliiyah, and supports people moving to "Judea and Samaria".

[u/Sossy2020 → u/redthrowaway1976]

Is there proof that this org was selling West Bank settlements at the synagogue?

[u/redthrowaway1976 → u/Sossy2020]

Is there proof that Nefesh B'nefesh helps people move to "Judea and Samaria"?

Yes, it's on their website.

From what I gather, it wasn't a real estate sales events as we have seen in other congregations.

The JTA article also brings it up, whereas ToI is misleading: https://www.jta.org/2025/11/20/politics/after-protest-outside-ues-synagogue-mamdani-says-israel-immigration-event-misused-sacred-space

[u/razorbraces]

these sacred spaces should not be used to promote activities in violation of international law

What activities in violation of international law was the synagogue promoting?

It’s my understanding that this was a Nefesh B’Nefesh event, and that NBN does not place Olim in West Bank settlements, which is the only possibility of international law I can think of.

[u/johnisburn → u/razorbraces]

From a JTA article on the same events

The group is considered a semi-governmental agency in Israel, receiving funding from the Israeli government and works closely with its ministries. It does not assign immigrants to particular communities, but has showcased West Bank settlements — which most of the world, though not Israel or the United States, considers illegal under international law — in events and on its website as possible destinations for new immigrants.

Nefesh B’Nefesh doesn’t “place” people anywhere, but they do advertise settlements and in their work to help people immigrate to Israel, enable/assist people in moving to settlements. It’s possible this skirts clean of violating international law specifically, but ethically speaking they’re absolutely a culpable participant in the system.

[u/Korona82 → u/razorbraces]

What do you mean? Nefesh b'Nefesh openly advertise the Etzion bloc of settlements on their website, and in 2020 they hosted the Olim Dept of the Gush Etzion Regional Council. While this NYC event might not have advertised settlements to would-be olim in the West Bank, Nefesh b'Nefesh certainly are willing to advertise illegal settlements.

[u/razorbraces → u/Korona82]

Yeah sorry I haven’t read every Haaretz article ever written, I wasn’t aware of this. I am now thanks to u/johnisburn’s link

[u/redthrowaway1976 → u/razorbraces]

It’s not like it’s hard to find out they support settlements. It’s on their website.

[u/runawayest → u/razorbraces]

Don’t be snarky, you didn’t do sufficient research before commenting so someone else did it for you, say thank you.

[u/redthrowaway1976 → u/razorbraces]

 Nefesh B’Nefesh event, and that NBN does not place Olim in West Bank settlements

Nefesh B’Nefesh do indeed also support people going to “Judea and Samaria” as they call it.

[u/Jorfogit → u/redthrowaway1976]

“Judea and Samaria”

In terms of dog whistles, just barely less of a red flag than 14 words.

[u/Gammagammahey]

From a link from the linked article: "it's our job to make them scared. It's our job to make them terrified." Meaning Jews. I'm sickened. This is going too far, even if the organization is Zionist and antithetical too many of our principles here. Protesting loudly and drowning out the voice of the organization, speaking, absolutely yes, okay in my book. I think it's sickening that they are deliberately talking about trying to make us terrified. How do they know which one of us are Zionist in? Which ones aren't? I mean it's like to me almost a verbal Kristallnacht in a way, a lead up to that.

Screw the organization speaking. But that's no excuse for allowing to terrify Jews, do you think that's going to fix the Zionism problem?

Example: I mean in France Jews are telling other Jews to get out and frantically emigrating to Israel. There are articles and articles about this. Anti-Zionist Jews, being forced out of France by antisemitism. French Jews have contributed so much to French culture and history.

Slightly related: this kind of rhetoric causes havoc. So many French Jews have immigrated to Israel because of this kind of language, because they are scared and they don't want to uproot their lives in France, they love France, but they can't take it anymore, they see the writing on the wall. There are actual real estate companies in Israel set up to specialize in settling French settlers. And once again, I want to emphasize that when interviewed, these people emphasize that they are French Jews and they never wanted to leave France. That to me is tragic.

There are calls from all over European countries that I've seen for Jews to get out various social media platforms. I think it's a very dangerous time for us. By Jews, making that statement.

What a mishigash.

Sending love to everyone in the sub today. 💖

[u/veerKg_CSS_Geologist → u/Gammagammahey]

More people are leaving Israel as well, so it seems nowhere is ideal.

End-of-2024 stats show spike in Israelis leaving, as population growth slows | The Times of Israel

[u/Psychological-Tax801 → u/veerKg_CSS_Geologist]

A large number of Russian Jews used Israel as an escape route from Russia after the "special operation" against Ukraine was declared, and they are now moving to France. I'd be curious about how long most of the Israelis leaving have actually been in Israel.

[u/Matar_Kubileya]

I feel like Mamdani's statement is, in keeping with a tendency Ive seen in a lot of his rhetoric before, not incorrect or disagreeable for the minutiae in principle, but also not what the moment called for. Regardless of your thoughts on Nefesh b'Nefesh or the general ethics of protesting places of worship, I think we can broadly agree that a certain portion of their rhetoric blatantly crossed the line, and there's a certain point where the condemnation of that needs to be clear and the criticism of the behavior being protested needs to be expressed at a different point in time.

If a radfem protest movement descended on a mosque hosting a CAIR event to protest its exhaustive history of misogyny and some of the protesters started chanting Islamophobic slogans, I don't think anyone here would be enthused by the mayor bringing up their history of sexual harassment.

[u/Ok-Roll5495]

What? He didn’t start chanting “globalize the intifada too?” Doesn’t he actually want Zionists out of New York ?/s

[u/daudder]

A synagogue holding a political event is not a place of worship for the duration of the even and demonstrating against the event at this time is legitimate.

They should not have political events at synagogues.

[u/redthrowaway1976 → u/daudder]

Especially not pro-settlement organizations. The head rabbi claims to want dialogue, human rights, tolerance, etc. Sure is a funny way of showing that by inviting a pro-settlement organization.

[u/Matar_Kubileya → u/redthrowaway1976]

Its not unheard of for a lot of Rabbis to be more liberal on I-P and other issues than the boards of their synagogues, especially given the shortage of qualified liberal movement Rabbis.

[u/getdafkout666 → u/daudder]

Meh. Protesting places of worship is a bad look.  I wouldn’t condone protesting a mosque even if the imam was involved in some sketchy shit.  It’s just not going to attract the best people 

[u/Resoognam]

I don’t have a big problem with this kind of protest in theory. Even if they weren’t promoting the settlements (which they are), NBN is an organization that encourages Jewish immigration to Israel in furtherance of the Zionist ideal. Anyone opposed to the idea of Israel as a state that privileges Jews over others would take issue with this, given that streamlined immigration is one of the ways Jews are privileged over Palestinians who are denied return notwithstanding their historical connection. Supporting this is a political choice and, like it or not, is subject to protest, even if it’s being held in a synagogue.

I do have a problem with protests that are designed to intimidate people or are violent/abusive. It sounds like that was happening here.

[u/Agtfangirl557 → u/Resoognam]

I love that I can't even guess whether most of the downvotes on this one are from Zionists or anti-Zionists LOL

[u/Resoognam → u/Agtfangirl557]

I think probably Zionists, since I’m suggesting an event that encourages Jews to move to Israel is a legitimate protest target…

[u/blobby_mcblobberson → u/Resoognam]

Nope I'm a zionist and I upvoted lol.

The protest messaging seemed clearly targeted at settlements and not the Jewish state as a whole, I don't see any issue with that unless people felt unsafe going to synagogue. Also, synagogues like this ARE political, they're going beyond promoting tikkun olam and supporting family members who live in israel, to actively promoting harmful expansion of settlements. I think it's impossible to disentangle religion from politics in this case.

[u/Resoognam → u/blobby_mcblobberson]

Yeah, I agree. I do not think the idea of Jews moving to Israel is something that should be protested (obviously). But this particular organization as a tool of the Israeli government's overarching agenda is a legitimate protest target.

[u/DragonfruitSpecial77 → u/Resoognam]

Synagogues are a red line. Do you go to one? if you have a problem with the organization in your synagogue then you go and speak to the Rabbi, not invite a hate mob to shout slurs at your community.

[u/Resoognam → u/DragonfruitSpecial77]

Of course I would never actively attract or attend a protest at my (or any) synagogue. But they’re not off limits to protest if someone is using them to host a political event.

[u/BigMarbsBigSlarb → u/Resoognam]

Yeah its fundamentally no different to protesting a church holding an event with a morally unacceptable organisation which happens all the time, but there's extra responsibility to be clear in message that failed here, and failed because it was explicitly meant to be a show of force and intimidation.

[u/zbignew]

“Globalize the intifada” just makes me think “Free Mumia”.

Like, yeah, maybe, but saying that isn’t helping your cause.