Why are we giving a platform to Mandami and his Extremism, Antisemitism, and Idiotism?

Bronze memorial statue honoring Lieutenant Colonel Yonatan “Yoni” Netanyahu in Uganda. Screengrab via Youtube.

I keep asking myself why so much attention is being given to a Cromagnon  who, in my opinion, promotes hatred, division, and antisemitic ideas. It is difficult to understand how a person with such extreme views has political influence in a city and a country as diverse, educated, and historically important as New York and the United States!

The question is not only about one individual. The larger question is how such extreme ideas are entertained by New Yorkers as to enter mainstream political discussion. History has shown us what happens when politicians gain support by blaming minorities, creating enemies, and spreading resentment. Societies that followed those paths suffered enormous consequences, and we should not repeat those mistakes. Do you think that Mandami knows or has read about the Russian revolution, etc? Doubt it he still living in a mental cave.

Sometimes it appears that people forget the failures of systems that promised equality and prosperity but delivered oppression and disaster. Yet too many people are foolish enough and are willing to revisit those same ideas, believing that this time the outcome will somehow be different. Too often, when these movements fail, they search for someone to blame—and historically, Jews have been among the first targets.

New York has millions of Jewish residents who have contributed enormously to the city and the nation. They are doctors, lawyers, investors, entrepreneurs, educators, scientists, public servants, and community leaders. Many have helped build the very institutions that make New York one of the world’s greatest cities.

Blaming Jews as a group, excusing terrorism, or promoting hatred is something entirely different. After the horrific massacre of more than a thousand Israelis on October 7, 2023, it is especially disturbing to see rhetoric that ignores the brutality of that attack and instead directs anger toward Israel and Jewish people around the world.