NEW YORK CITY (VINnews) – Former New York State Assemblyman Dov Hikind sharply criticized New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and his family Wednesday, labeling them “real radical Islamists” and warning they pose a serious threat to the United States and the Jewish community.
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“[Mamdani and family] are incredibly dangerous to the well-being of America and the Jewish community,” Hikind said.
“[Mamdani and family] are incredibly dangerous to the well-being of America and the Jewish community.”
— Dov Hikind called NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani and his family ‘real radical Islamists’@HikindDov @ymenken @BiancaDLGarza pic.twitter.com/CZSYooxAfW
— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) May 6, 2026
Hikind, a longtime Brooklyn Democrat and founder of Americans Against Antisemitism, has repeatedly voiced concerns about Mamdani’s background, policies and associations since the Democratic socialist took office as the city’s 112th mayor on Jan. 1, 2026. Mamdani, the first Muslim mayor of New York, previously represented the 36th Assembly District in Queens.
The former assemblyman made the remarks during a radio appearance amid ongoing debates over antisemitism in the city, Mamdani’s stance on Israel and his administration’s early decisions, including nullifying an executive order adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism.
Hikind has warned that a Mamdani administration could embolden extremists and has urged voters and Jewish leaders to oppose what he calls the mayor’s radical agenda. He previously broke with Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa to endorse Andrew Cuomo in an effort to block Mamdani’s election and has continued his criticism in the months since.
Mamdani’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Hikind’s strong language reflects deepening divisions in New York City’s Jewish community over the mayor’s leadership and responses to rising hate crimes. VINnews has previously reported on Hikind’s clashes with Jewish leaders who have engaged with Mamdani.
The mayor has faced scrutiny for refusing to strongly condemn certain radical Islamist actions and for positions critics describe as anti-Israel.
why is he still a DemocRAT? switch to Republican like Dershowitz
“…deepening divisions in New York City’s Jewish community over the mayor’s leadership and responses to rising hate crimes.” This won’t continue indefinitely. I’ve lived through political /social upheaval. The skilled, productive classes leave first. This hollows out the community. Those who stay behind are the poor & unskilled, community leaders, the old & the sick, & the wealthy who refuse to accept a lower standard of living until it is too late to take anything.
Satmar will vote again for him
Look what’s going on in Manhattan today. The protesters/violent rioters are gaining more steam and more guts and becoming more crazy as time goes on. They know that the chief is on their side. And he’s only been in office for a few months. I’m so glad my parents sold their shmata house for top dollar in Brooklyn a few weeks ago.
Dov you are right he is an Anti Semite. So is your business partners brother. Tom Sullivan whom you consistently back for NYS elected office in Far Rockaway against a Jewish incumbent candidate.
Dov stop the baloney! Gain back your self respect!
So what are you gonna do about it, Dov? Make speeches, post on social media… have you heard of galus? Mamdani is a Jew hater. Who would’ve thunk?
Bernhard Rosenberg
JEWS TIME TO ARM YOURSELF, LEARN SELF-DEFENSENOW. How many synagogues must be destroyed and Jews murdered? rabbi dr. Bernhard Rosenberg
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how is it possible that multitudes of askanim would meet with a anti Semite , I think is being dramatic. Askanim who are guided by Daas Torah every day would not meet a known Jew hater.
What an idiot! Like previous commentator said he forgot that he is in galus! Like his rebbi meir kahane! Love will be on your hands just like the right wing settlers are causing to Jews in Israel
Strange coming from a guy that is part of the problem.
I wonder how much Antisemitism D.H. is responsible for?
DOV please MOVE TO ISRAEL!
Talking like this only plays into their hands. To those who aren’t paying attention to the dog whistles, you just look paranoid.
The U.S. and other countries are increasingly Muslim. It is something Jews have to deal with. Are we going to base all relations with Muslims based on the hatred for Israel by some of them or are we going to see what we have in common and see how we can work together? One of the reasons we are in galus is to bring the non- Jews closer to Hashem by teaching the sheva mitzvos – let’s focus on that and not on their rhetoric about Israel.