\u201cPeople have to understand that if you look at the data, it\u2019s not just a problem of antisemitism. It\u2019s a problem with anti-Muslim hate, anti-trans hate and anti-black hate,\u201d he said. \u201cThe hate crime policy in my administration is going to be the same for everyone, which is we\u2019re going to have a city-based prosecution system that makes examples of people that engage in hate crime, particularly against most at-risk communities, including the Jewish community.\u201d<\/p>\n
During the forum, Walden said that he would have a Jewish advisory council if elected. When asked to name one person who\u2019d be on the council, he named a friend, Sara Silver, who Walden said \u201csaved my life \u2014 metaphorically \u2014 when I was struggling earlier in my life.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJim says I saved him from a life of pumping gas. But no; I think I saved him from being a personal injury lawyer in Philadelphia,\u201d Silver, who was chief of staff for Walden\u2019s campaign, told the New York Times in February.<\/p>\n
Walden, in a July interview with WNYC, criticized Mamdani\u2019s support for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement. Walden said he believed Mamdani, if elected, would cancel \u201cany contract with any Israeli business or any company that does business with Israel.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIsraeli private equity has about $26 billion worth of investments in New York and New York City,\u201d Walden said. \u201cThere are a tremendous number of businesses and institutions that also have contracts with Israel. This is an antisemitic policy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\t New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani speaks at a rally with Hotel and Gaming Trades Council workers, in New York Aug. 20, 2025. (AP Photo\/Richard Drew)<\/p>\n Mamdani has not said if or how he would seek to have New York City comply with the BDS movement. He has also said that New York City is experiencing a \u201ccrisis of antisemitism,\u201d and that \u201cthere\u2019s no room for it in this city, in this country.\u201d<\/p>\n Walden\u2019s statement implored \u201ca leading candidate\u201d to \u201cdeploy an uber-aggressive field operation soon\u201d to beat Mamdani.<\/p>\n The other candidates have vowed not to back out, and Adams\u2019 team reiterated that stance in the wake of Walden\u2019s announcement. Cuomo\u2019s praised Walden\u2019s decision and reiterated the \u201cexistential threat\u201d of Mamdani\u2019s candidacy but did not comment on Walden\u2019s call for other candidates to step aside.<\/p>\n In the days after the June primary, thousands of Jewish voters alarmed by Mamdani\u2019s win flocked to a WhatsApp group they hoped would be used to mobilize them against him. But without a candidate solidifying as the opposition, anyone-but-Mamdani voters are frustrated and, increasingly, resigned to a Mamdani win in November.<\/p>\n \u201cIn a choice between values and ambition, values must win,\u201d Walden said in his statement. \u201cFor months, I have been steadfast in my view that, unless there is a one-on-one race in November, a Trojan Horse will take control of City Hall.\u201d<\/p>\n
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