Over 900 American rabbis called for their countrymen to support political candidates who affirm Israel's right to exist and reject antisemitism and antizionism, according to an open letter issued by The Jewish Majority on Wednesday.
"We will not accept a culture that treats Jewish self-determination as a negotiable ideal or Jewish inclusion as something to be 'granted.' The safety and dignity of Jews in every city depend on rejecting that false choice," read the statement. "Therefore, we call on all Americans who value peace and equality to participate fully in the democratic process in order to stand up for candidates who reject antisemitic and anti-Zionist rhetoric, and who affirm Israel’s right to exist in peace and security."
The 923 rabbis who signed the call to action by Thursday morning made the statement in response to the rise and normalization of political anti-Zionism across the country, including the campaign of New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani.
The statement noted that Mamdani had refused to condemn slogans such as "globalize the intifada," had denied Israel's legitimacy as a Jewish state, and accused the country of engaging in Genocide.
The statement quoted signatory and NY Board of Rabbis president Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch in a video statement to the candidate last Thursday in which he urged him to reconsider positions that delegitimize the Jewish community and encouraged and exacerbated "hostility towards Judaism and Jews."
A call to vote against Mamdani
The statement also cited Park Avenue Synagogue Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, who explained in a Saturday sermon calling on community members to vote against Mamdani that Zionism, Israel, and Jewish self-determination was an inextricable part of Jewish identity for many Jews. Cosgrove had not signed the statement by Wednesday.
The hundreds of rabbi also called on other religious and communal partners to stand with the Jewish community in rejecting dangerous rhetoric.
"Now is the time for everyone to unite across political and moral divides, and to reject the language that seeks to delegitimize our Jewish identity and our community," said the rabbis.