Former Gov. David Paterson compared Mayor Zohran Mamdani to segregationist George Wallace as he pushed for a federal investigation into whether Hizzoner is inciting anti-Jewish violence.
Paterson, who is also a former chairman of the state Democratic Party, said Mamdani’s antagonist stance against Israel – including his empty threat to arrest Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu – could be a dog whistle to antisemites.
“Mamdani is the 2020s answer to George Wallace,” said Paterson, who is black. Wallace, a four-time presidential candidate and former governor of Alabama, infamously proclaimed,” segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever.”
Paterson said the social-media focused socialist mayor is not explicitly calling for violence in his anti-Israel rhetoric, but like Wallace it could fuel people on the brink.
“It’s taking those people on the edge and making them more likely to commit violence. It’s giving fodder to antisemitic people.” Paterson claimed.
He said he’s co-writing a letter with Dov Hikind, former Brooklyn assemblyman and founder of Americans Against Antisemitism, asking the US Justice Department to investigate whether Mamdani is violating federal laws.
They will ask other elected officials and New York leaders to sign the letter.
The extraordinary move comes days after crazed defendant Raul Morales screamed “Allahu Akbar” while allegedly stabbing an Asian and Jewish man in separate harrowing hate attacks on the Upper West Side on Thursday.
Morales was arraigned on two counts of attempted murder, two counts of assault and one count of attempted assault—all of which are being tried as hate crimes.
The attack has left New York City Jews on edge.
Paterson noted that Jewish leaders were key players in the civil rights movement pushing for equality for African-Americans in the 1960s, and it’s time to return the favor.
“We remember when it was happening to us. I don’t think there are enough people standing up for the Jewish community,” Paterson said. “The Jews stood up for us. The least we can do is stand up for them.”
Hikind said enough is enough.
“The mayor has created a tsunami of Jew hatred,” Hikind claimed, adding Free Speech has its limits.
“You can’t yell `fire!’ in a crowded theater,” he said. “Mamdani has created an environment where Jewish New Yorkers feel under threat. He’s not above the law. Remember when Democrats said Donald Trump wasn’t above the law?”
He said Mamdani knew he couldn’t have Netanyahu arrested, but he pushed the narrative anyway to stir up the Jew haters.
Mamdani’s office didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment Sunday.
On Friday, Hizzoner said the city “has no tolerance” for hatred and pledged to hold anyone behind attacks accountable.
“First and foremost, I want to make clear that this is a city where we have no tolerance for hatred of any kind—hatred of someone on the basis of their faith, their background, natural identity,” he said.
He said he was relieved to hear that both victims are in stable condition and wished them “a full and speedy recovery.”
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