Mayor Eric Adams vowed unwavering support for Israel after meeting Prime Minister Netanyahu, sharply contrasting his pro-Israel stance with rival Zohran Mamdani’s radical anti-Israel agenda.
Fresh off his powerful address at the United Nations General Assembly, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met Friday with New York City Mayor Eric Adams. The meeting underscored the close bond between Israel and New York—the home of the world’s largest Jewish community outside of Israel.
Adams, a longtime supporter of Israel, released a strong statement following the meeting, declaring:
“I was particularly proud to meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu after his UN address, to thank him for defending the western world and our way of life. At a time when much of the world is turning its back on Israel, New York must remain steadfast in supporting Israel’s right to defend itself, eliminate Hamas, and bring its hostages home.”
Adams emphasized that Netanyahu’s speech made clear a fundamental truth: the same forces calling for the death of Jews worldwide are also calling for the death of Americans. As mayor, Adams pledged to continue protecting New Yorkers from both foreign and domestic enemies, linking Israel’s fight against Hamas to America’s broader struggle against terrorism.
A Sharp Contrast in NYC Politics
The mayor’s meeting comes at a time of political tension in New York. Adams, running for re-election as an independent, trails far-left Democrat Zohran Mamdani—an outspoken critic of Israel.
Mamdani has embraced the extremist slogan “globalize the intifada,” refused to condemn Hamas’s Oct. 7 atrocities against Israeli civilians, and vowed to abandon the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism if elected. Most alarmingly, he has even threatened to have Netanyahu arrested if he visits New York, citing the politically motivated International Criminal Court warrant against the Israeli leader.
The contrast could not be starker: Adams is standing firm with Israel against terrorism, while Mamdani openly panders to anti-Israel radicals.
Political Maneuvering
Reports have circulated that the Trump administration considered offering Adams a role to clear the way for former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, another independent candidate, to consolidate the anti-Mamdani vote. Adams has rejected the claims and reaffirmed his commitment to staying in the race.
With Jewish voters and pro-Israel allies closely watching, the future of America’s largest Jewish city may hinge on whether New Yorkers choose a mayor who embraces Israel’s fight for survival—or one who aligns with its enemies.
