President Herzog Warns NYC Mayor-Elect Mamdani Is ‘Red Flag’ for Jews at Yeshiva University Event

Israeli President Isaac Herzog delivered a powerful address at Yeshiva University’s 101st Annual Hanukkah Dinner in New York on Sunday night, warning of surging antisemitism, denouncing incoming New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani, and calling for the return of Israel’s final hostage. He  also received an honorary doctorate during the event

Speaking in his first major U.S. appearance since the Gaza ceasefire, Herzog said the challenges facing American Jewry had reached an alarming level. He urged the community to confront rising hatred while highlighting U.S. backing for Israel and praising President Donald J. Trump for advancing the release of hostages.

Herzog honored Yeshiva University as a defining institution of global Jewish life, saying, “For over a century, Yeshiva University has been a bastion of Jewish leadership, Jewish thought, and Jewish pride.”

Turning to what he called an unprecedented wave of antisemitism, Herzog said, “Here in New York, and all across America, the turbulence is unnerving, and the challenges facing our people, the Jewish people, are growing.” He warned of “institutional antisemitism, Holocaust inversion, conspiracies left and right, Jew-hatred platformed on social media, and moral bankruptcy masquerading as social justice.”

Herzog then criticized Mamdani, saying, “Recent developments in New York City have raised a red flag.” He said that the mayor-elect “makes no effort to conceal his contempt for the Jewish democratic State of Israel.” Citing the mob that disrupted a Nefesh B’Nefesh Aliyah event at Park East Synagogue last month, Herzog said Mamdani’s claim that Jews considering Aliyah were violating international law was “outrageous.” Delegitimizing Zionism, he warned, “legitimizes violence and undermines freedom of religion.” “We must use any legal means at our disposal—advocacy, education, leadership, civic engagement, media, social networks—to combat this surge of hate and antisemitism.” To extremists he declared, “you will never succeed!”

Addressing October 7th, Herzog said, “All but one of our hostages are home—and we demand, and cry out, for the immediate release of our remaining hostage, our brother, the courageous Staff Sergeant Ran Gvili.” He described the national grief that followed the massacre, saying, “Never have Michal and I wept over so many people we never knew,” after conducting more than 1,500 bereavement visits. Herzog also honored the family of Captain Omer Neutra, saying, “It is so moving to see Omer’s parents, Orna and Ronen Neutra, here with us tonight. This is a family of heroes!”

Herzog praised the United States for standing with Israel “from the very first hours of October 7th,” and thanked President Trump for helping bring home all but one hostage and for outlining a “Day After” regional plan.

Yeshiva University President Rabbi Ari Berman said after him that the school is prepared to confront the Mamdani’s rhetoric, telling the audience that YU “will not run from the untruths being repeated by a newly elected official in the city.” He said the university intends to stand “proudly by our values” and show the wider public “what it means to be a Zionist.” “This is our time, this is our calling. We will always stand for our values, we will always bring the light.”

Herzog will also headline the American Zionist Movement’s national conference and meet lawmakers, university presidents, and opinion leaders during his visit.