Anti-Mamdani, Pro-Israel Demonstrators Rally in Manhattan Against Antisemitism
Manhattan, New York — May 26, 2026. Pro-Israel demonstrators gathered in Manhattan for a large public rally opposing Mayor Mamdani and what speakers described as antisemitic policies, rhetoric, and political behavior affecting Jewish New Yorkers.
The rally brought together Jewish New Yorkers, allies, Republicans, Democrats, Christians, Muslims, and people from different racial and religious backgrounds. Organizers presented the demonstration as a broad civic mobilization in defense of civil rights, Jewish safety, and the future of New York City.
At the opening of the rally, a speaker told the crowd: “This is just the beginning. This is what mobilization looks like.” Demonstrators then chanted a new slogan: “From the River to the Sea, New York City Will Be Free.”
James Maslo: “Antisemitism Is Not Just a Jewish Problem”
One of the featured speakers, James Maslo, introduced himself as a New Yorker whose father and grandfather were also born in the city. He described his grandfather, Captain Robert Maslo, as a Jewish American pilot who helped protect the city and the country.
Maslo said that three generations of his family had loved New York, and that was why he felt compelled to speak. He reminded the crowd that New York has one of the largest Jewish populations in the world outside Israel and has long been a place where Jewish families built lives, raised children, and found community.
According to Maslo, Jewish New Yorkers are increasingly concerned about antisemitism, public safety, and the political message coming from City Hall. He criticized Mayor Mamdani for allegedly refusing to clearly condemn antisemitic language and for actions that, according to the speaker, weakened protections against antisemitism.
“We are not here because we hate anybody,” Maslo told the crowd. “We are here because we love this city.”
He added that every New Yorker — Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Black, white, and people of every background — deserves a mayor who can say clearly that hatred has no place in the city.
“Antisemitism is not just a Jewish problem. It is a human problem. And silence from those in power is not neutrality. It’s permission.”
Simon Deng Warns Against Repeating History
Another speaker, Simon Deng, addressed the rally as a Christian and a friend of the Jewish community. He compared what he described as rising hostility toward Jews in New York to earlier episodes of persecution in North Africa and Europe.
Deng said that Jewish communities had historically been targeted in countries such as Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Sudan, Morocco, and Egypt, and warned that similar hatred must not be tolerated in New York City.
He also referred to the Holocaust and said the world must not remain silent when hatred is directed against Jews. “We are here together saying loudly, we are not going to stand by that,” Deng told the crowd.
Deng asked where New York’s political leadership stands when anti-Jewish hostility appears in public life. “Are you with us, or are you with those who hate the Jewish community?” he asked.
Demonstrators Chant Against Mamdani
Throughout the rally, demonstrators chanted slogans including “USA! USA!” and “Hey, hey, ho, ho — Zoran’s got to go.” Another chant accused Mamdani of hiding from public criticism: “Zoran, you can’t hide — we charge you with hate and lies.”
The crowd carried American flags, Israeli flags, and signs expressing support for Israel and opposition to antisemitism. Speakers repeatedly described the rally as a defense of New York’s Jewish community, but also as a broader stand for the city’s civic future.
Final Speaker: “New York City Is Our City”
A later speaker told the crowd that Jewish New Yorkers would not be intimidated or pushed out of public life. She criticized Mamdani for allegedly removing or weakening the definition of antisemitism and protections for religious institutions on his first day in office.
She also spoke personally about her family’s Holocaust history, saying that her children are descendants of a survivor of Auschwitz who came to New York to build a better life. The speaker said it was painful to see Jewish schools and synagogues targeted by protests and to feel that city leadership was not doing enough to protect Jewish families.
“New York City is our city. New York City is the most Jewish city outside of Israel in the entire world, and we are here to stay. We are not going anywhere.”
The rally ended with patriotic language and calls for unity: “God bless America. God bless New York City.”
Video Information
Excluisive video by: Assemblymember Michail Novakhov
Location: Manhattan, New York
Date: May 26, 2026
Topic: Anti-Mamdani, pro-Israel demonstration against antisemitism
Editor’s Note
This article is based on a original video transcript of the rally. Statements about Mayor Mamdani, antisemitism, public safety, and city policy are presented as claims and opinions expressed by rally speakers and demonstrators.