Pro-Israel activist confronts NYC mayor over antisemitism accusations in Brooklyn

Pro-Israel activist Stephanie Benshimol confronted New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani during a visit to a Jewish store in Brooklyn’s Borough Park ahead of Rosh Hashanah. According to the New York Post, Benshimol, a self-described “American Israeli Zionist” and founder of United Zionists, accused Mamdani of fueling antisemitism in the city and questioned his decision to visit the heavily Jewish neighbourhood. “Shame on you, you’re causing all the antisemitism,” Benshimol was heard saying while filming the encounter inside Eichler’s Judaica store. Benshimol, who has described herself as a granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, also invoked her family’s connection to Borough Park while confronting the mayor. “My Bubbie and Zaidy came to Borough Park! You have such chutzpah coming here! Shame on you!” she shouted, referring to her grandparents using Yiddish terms. Store staff subsequently asked Benshimol to leave. She continued criticising the mayor and the store before exiting. Mamdani did not engage in the confrontation. During his visit, he said it was “so great to be here before the holidays” and wished people a happy new year, while thanking them for the “welcome and the dialogue.” The confrontation comes amid heightened debate over antisemitism in New York City, with NYPD data showing hate crimes had risen citywide this year and antisemitic incidents accounting for a majority of reported hate crimes.