EXPLOSIVE PROTEST: Satmar Rebbe Of Williamsburg Condemns Incitement Against Mayor Mamdani

The Grand Rebbe of Satmar, Rabbi Zalman Leib Teitelbaum, strongly condemned attacks directed at New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani during his address at a major annual Satmar community gathering marking the yahrzeit of Rabbi Joel Teitelbaum, the founding Grand Rebbe of Satmar.

The Grand Rebbe warned that rhetoric targeting Mayor Mamdani violates traditional Torah principles governing Jewish relations with government and risks provoking hostility toward Jews. "Recently, we have witnessed a terrible provocation against the nations by heimishe Yidden - through the incitement against the Mayor of New York City," He stated.

Drawing on the Prophet Jeremiah's instruction to seek the peace of the city in which Jews live and pray for its benefit, the Grand Rebbe emphasized that observant Jews must follow Torah guidance for Jewish life in exile. "We must remember that we are in exile," He said. "The Prophet Jeremiah instructed the Jewish people: 'Seek the peace of the city to which I have exiled you, and pray to Hashem on its behalf.' An observant Jew must follow the Torah's path and accept the decree of exile."

He specifically opposed efforts to brand Mayor Mamdani an antisemite. "To denounce the mayor and brand him an antisemite constitutes a true provocation against the nations," He said. "As though the provocation against the nations taking place in Eretz Yisroel were not enough, they are now bringing it here to the United States as well."

The Grand Rebbe also called on Jewish families to guard against publications and messages influenced by Zionist ideology. Opposition to Zionism and adherence to traditional Torah principles for Jewish life in exile were foundational to Rabbi Joel Teitelbaum's teachings.