Mamdani’s Tisha B’Av Message Draws Anger From Jewish Critics

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani faced sharp criticism Thursday after posting a Tisha B’Av message to Jewish residents across the city’s five boroughs.

“Wishing a peaceful Tisha B’Av to Jewish New Yorkers across the five boroughs,” Mamdani wrote on X. The post received millions of views within hours and drew angry responses from Jewish activists and other users who cited his recent statements about Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The backlash came days after Mamdani released a widely viewed video addressing his campaign pledge to arrest Netanyahu if the Israeli leader visits New York. Mamdani acknowledged that the city does not have the legal authority to carry out such an arrest, but continued to accuse Netanyahu and Israel of serious crimes.

In his Tisha B’Av message, Mamdani wrote that “from sunset tonight through tomorrow, mourners will pause and reflect on the history and resilience of the Jewish people.”

“May all those fasting have a safe and meaningful fast,” he added.

Tisha B’Av is a Jewish day of fasting and mourning. Some critics said Mamdani’s message was incompatible with his recent rhetoric toward Israel and its prime minister.

Moshe Safran, identified in the reports as the president of a Jewish teachers’ organization, posted a letter he said he had sent to New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch. The letter called for increased security around synagogues and Jewish institutions.

“You are not entitled to wish us a peaceful Tisha B’Av after your theatrics last night,” Safran wrote in response to Mamdani.

“You continue to spread blood libels and lies about Israel and malign the Jewish people,” he continued. “You continue to be an obstacle to our safety. Stop your hateful rhetoric, and perhaps we will be able to observe our day in peace.”

Activist April Silverman also rejected the message, writing: “You do not care at all about the Jews who are fasting and mourning.”

She accused Mamdani of using the Nine Days, the period of mourning leading up to Tisha B’Av, to promote calls for Netanyahu’s arrest despite lacking the authority to carry them out.

Mamdani had previously presented the proposed arrest as a prominent campaign commitment. His recent video said his administration had examined the available legal options and determined that New York City could not arrest the leader of a visiting foreign government.

The United States is not a member of the International Criminal Court, which issued the warrant cited by Mamdani, and does not recognize the court’s jurisdiction over American territory.

The dispute added to continuing tensions between Mamdani and some Jewish and pro-Israel New Yorkers over his statements about Israel, Netanyahu and the war.