Mayor Eric Adams of New York City expressed his concern about the normalization of antisemitism in the city during a press briefing at City Hall. His remarks came in response to a Washington Post article that suggested pro-Israel business titans may have influenced his handling of the recent Columbia University protests. The article claimed that a WhatsApp chat group of wealthy Americans arranged a Zoom call with Adams to discuss pressuring the university to let police intervene during the protests.
City Hall criticized the Washington Post story, stating that it implied that Jewish donors were secretly plotting to influence government operations. Adams responded to a reporter’s question about the antisemitic nature of the story by highlighting how it played into stereotypes by suggesting that Jewish leaders were colluding to bypass the government. While the Washington Post did not explicitly mention the religion of the chat participants, it named individuals who are Jewish, such as Howard Schultz, Michael Dell, and Bill Ackman.
Adams emphasized that he has a zero tolerance policy for antisemitism, as well as discrimination against LGBTQAPI individuals and African Americans. He expressed concern over the normalization of antisemitism to the point where protests calling for the destruction of certain groups, such as the antisemitic chants at the Columbia University protests, are tolerated. Adams compared the situation to a hypothetical protest calling for harm against black individuals, stating that such behavior would not be acceptable in the city.
The mayor and his administration clarified that the NYPD did not intervene in Columbia University’s anti-Israel protest until the school administration requested assistance and permitted officers to enter the campus. Adams acknowledged that in hindsight, he believed the police should have acted sooner, but reiterated that they only entered the campus after receiving approval from the university. More than 100 protestors were arrested during the police intervention at the university.
Adams’s strong stance against antisemitism and discrimination reflects his commitment to upholding the values of inclusivity and safety in New York City. He condemned the hateful chants and behavior seen during the Columbia University protests and emphasized the need to address these issues swiftly and effectively. By highlighting the dangers of normalizing antisemitism, he sought to send a clear message that such behavior will not be tolerated in the city under his leadership. His actions and statements underscore the importance of combating all forms of discrimination and hatred in society.
