New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani released a $30 million anti‑hate strategy aimed at protecting Jewish New Yorkers. The plan earmarks $6.4 million for Partners Against Hate (PATH), a city‑funded program that coordinates hate‑crime reporting and education.
Grant structure and partner organizations
PATH will distribute the funds among six partner groups, including the Arab American Association of New York (AAANY). AAANY was previously linked to former Women’s March co‑founder Linda Sarsour, who is known for her criticism of U.S.–Israel policy.
Rising hate‑crime statistics
According to NYPD data, antisemitic incidents comprised roughly 9 % of all hate crimes in 2026, with 181 reported offenses in the first eight months—a 16 % increase over the prior year. Other categories included 29 incidents targeting LGBTQ + individuals and 21 against Muslims, 131 of which were felonies.
Mayor’s rationale
“My administration has a responsibility to ensure New York City remains a place where Jewish New Yorkers can live peacefully and safely,” Mamdani wrote in the strategy document. He emphasized that the city will continue to protect all residents from hate‑motivated violence.
Critics raise concerns
Pro‑Israel organizations, including the Anti‑Defamation League, have objected to the inclusion of AAANY, arguing that its advocacy against Israel falls outside the scope of a hate‑crime prevention program. They note AAANY’s past financial ties to the Council on American‑Islamic Relations, a group once named an unindicted co‑conspirator in a major terrorism‑financing case.
AAANY’s executive director, Marwa Janini, has called for a city‑wide cease‑fire resolution regarding the Israel‑Hamas conflict, citing humanitarian concerns. Critics contend that such positions could undermine the city’s effort to combat antisemitism.
Historical context
The partnership between PATH and AAANY dates back to a 2021 grant announced by former Mayor Bill de Blasio, which allocated $3 million among several community groups to address racial hate crimes.
Mayor Mamdani’s plan represents the latest city‑wide effort to address a troubling rise in hate incidents while navigating divergent viewpoints on foreign‑policy advocacy within local nonprofit networks.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
