New York’s new mayor, Zohran Mamdani, became the first mayor of the city to be sworn in on the Quran during his inauguration on January 1.
Mamdani’s journey to becoming mayor has not been without controversy, most notably because of his strongly anti-Israel, pro-Palestine stance and rhetoric – something that the Jewish community fears may manifest in increased antisemitism on the ground.
Also assuming his new role is Mamdani’s controversial pick for Chief Counsel, Ramzi Kassem. Chief counsel is the city’s top legal role.
Kassem's concerning history
The Jerusalem Post reported in December 2025 that the Syrian-born Kassem has served as the lawyer for multiple problematic individuals, including Ahmed al-Darbi, a close ally of Osama Bin Laden who was convicted of bombing a French oil tanker. Kassem also represented Mohammed Khalil, a prominent pro-Palestinian encampment leader, in his deportation case. While at Columbia, Kassem was an anti-Israel activist and lobbied the school to rename an “Israeli wrap” offered in the dining hall, arguing that it was offensive to Muslims. He also spent a lot of time at Columbia writing “scathing criticisms” of Israel.
Over the last few days, it has been revealed that Kassem was involved in coaching Within Our Lifetime (the radical pro-Hamas activist group) ahead of the first October 7 anniversary protests. He was even pictured next to WOL’s Nerdeen Kiswani at her graduation from law school.
“This raises serious concerns for New Yorkers, especially the Jewish community,” said the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). “Kassem’s record – including statements downplaying the 9/11 terror attacks, claiming Zionism ‘impedes Middle Eastern peace,’ justifying Palestinian terrorism, and even demanding Columbia rename an ‘Israeli wrap’ deemed ‘offensive’ – demonstrates a troubling bias.”
For some, the appointment of Kassem is emblematic of Mamadani’s upcoming term: anti-Israel, radical leftist, and somewhat apologetic about terror.
It remains to be seen how Mamdani’s administration will impact the lives of the city’s over one million Jews – the largest Jewish population outside of Israel. Two-thirds of NYC’s Jews did not vote for Mamdani, and many have expressed explicit concern about the new mayor’s actions. A November edition of JPPI’s Voice of the Jewish People Index showed that 67% of US Jews believe Mamdani’s victory will endanger New York’s Jews.
Additionally, a December ADL report found that 20% of Mamdani’s administrative appointees have ties to anti-Zionist groups. Some have even justified Hamas’s actions or celebrated the October 7 attacks. Many are members of Students for Justice in Palestine and Democratic Socialists of America, groups which Mamdani himself has long served as an organizer for.
People will also be watching closely to see how Mamdani manages the four executive orders put in place by the Adams administration to protect the Jewish community – especially EO 60, which says that city officials cannot use procurement contracts and pension investments as tools to advance social agendas.
During his administration, former NYC mayor Eric Adams established the Mayor’s Office to Combat Antisemitism, the first of its kind in a major American city. Right now, the office’s future remains unclear.
Whatever happens over the next four years, it will undoubtedly be strikingly different from the Adams administration. The former mayor made the city’s Jewish community a personal matter, writing in his final report on Wednesday that confronting antisemitism was his priority. Right after October 7, 2023, Adams came out with his infamous “we are not alright” speech and has continued to be unwavering in his support of the Jewish state since.
Mamdani has accused Israel of “genocide” and “apartheid” and has promised to arrest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should he set foot in New York.
With antisemitism at historic highs and tensions already inflamed, Mamdani’s first decisions may determine whether New York remains a refuge for its Jewish population. The question now is not symbolism, but substance: how will a mayor whose record has left many concerned safeguard the security of the city’s Jews?