In a recent address at New York City's largest synagogue, Mayor Eric Adams criticized celebrities who use their influence to propagate antisemitism.
Speaking at the Temple Emanu-El Shabbat services on Friday, Adams expressed concern over the increasing number of sports figures and entertainers who are leveraging their status as credible messengers and influencers to disseminate hateful ideologies, particularly antisemitism.
Adams' remarks come amidst ongoing conflict in Israel, which has been under attack from Hamas since last weekend. The surprise assault has plunged the nation into a deadly conflict, resulting in thousands of casualties. However, the turmoil in Israel has also underscored the persistent struggle against antisemitism domestically.
Hamas declared last Friday a "Day of Rage," culminating a week of nationwide protests against Israel's response to the Gaza attacks. A rally in New York City, endorsed by the local Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) chapter, saw pro-Hamas demonstrators taunting Israel supporters with swastika imagery.
A study conducted by Tel Aviv University's Center for the Study of Contemporary European Jewry and the Anti-Defamation League earlier this year revealed a disturbing rise in antisemitism in the U.S. and globally in 2022. This follows a record-breaking number of antisemitic incidents in 2021, with the report's authors noting that "2022 did not mark a reversal of the trend, and in some countries, most alarmingly the United States, it intensified."
In his address, Mayor Adams urged celebrities to utilize their influence to counter this escalating trend. "Let's bring them to the table use your influence and power to make sure that you reach and prick the consciousness of young people across the globe," Adams implored. He also called for improved communication, stating, "Let's dam the rivers that don't allow us to communicate with each other."
Adams further identified American college campuses as part of the problem, contending that these institutions have evolved into "breeding grounds of hate." He lamented the transformation of these campuses, which were once hailed for academic achievement and producing forward-thinking individuals, into hotbeds of hatred.
Adams' speech was delivered amidst heightened security at the synagogue, provided by the NYPD. Some members have reported an increase in threats against New York City's Jewish community in the aftermath of the war in Israel.
Adams expressed his concern over this development, stating, "Something is wrong with that in the city of New York, where we have the largest Jewish population outside of Israel." He added, "If you don't feel safe here, where else can you feel safe? We have to change that course."
Login