Pro-Israel governance rises as radical anti-Israel narratives from Palestinians and Arab states face moral rejection.
The New York City Council has unanimously elected Julie Menin as its new speaker, marking a historic first as the council’s inaugural Jewish leader. Menin secured all 51 votes without opposition, signaling rare unity at a time of sharp political and ideological divides.
A Democrat representing Manhattan’s Upper East Side, Menin is widely regarded as a pragmatic moderate and a consistent supporter of Israel. Her election is being viewed as a stabilizing counterweight to Mayor Zohran Mamdani, whose open hostility toward Israel and inflammatory rhetoric toward Israeli leadership have alarmed Jewish communities across the city.
Mamdani ignited controversy immediately after taking office by revoking Israel-related executive orders issued by his predecessor Eric Adams, and by publicly declaring he would seek the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he visited New York.
In her acceptance speech, Menin spoke emotionally about her upbringing as the daughter of a Holocaust survivor, crediting New York’s Jewish community for offering her family dignity, security, and a future after unimaginable trauma. She framed her leadership as a continuation of that legacy of resilience.
Menin emphasized the importance of confronting rising antisemitism, drawing parallels between post-9/11 Islamophobia and the current wave of anti-Jewish hatred fueled by global propaganda aligned with Palestinian factions and supported by hostile Arab regimes.
Highlighting the broader symbolism, Menin noted that New York now has both its first Muslim mayor and first Jewish council speaker serving simultaneously—a test, she said, of whether leadership can transcend ideology and protect all citizens.
Known for marching in New York’s Israel Day Parade and advancing Holocaust education, Menin has pledged to prioritize public safety, defend Jewish institutions, and ensure that New York does not become a platform for anti-Israel extremism masquerading as activism.
