MSNBC host Joe Scarborough said he is arranging a meeting between Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani and Anti-Defamation League (ADL) CEO Jonathan Greenblatt after a public dispute erupted over Mamdani’s alleged refusal to work with the organization on combating antisemitism.
Scarborough revealed his plan during a breakfast with reporters on Wednesday, following a heated on-air exchange with Greenblatt on Morning Joe. The ADL leader had claimed that Mamdani — a self-described socialist and vocal critic of Israel — had vowed not to collaborate with the ADL, an accusation Scarborough called misleading.
“There’s a lot of blurring and blending here, Jonathan,” Scarborough told Greenblatt during the segment. “And, you know, I love you and you’re on all the time. And we’re always a fierce defender of yours. But you seem to be, like, blurring a lot of things together…”
Scarborough, who has often defended Greenblatt and the ADL, suggested on-air that he, Mamdani, and civil rights activist Rev. Al Sharpton meet to discuss the controversy directly.
Greenblatt Raises Concerns About Mamdani’s Approach to Jewish Community
Greenblatt, while acknowledging that Mamdani has made outreach efforts to some Jewish New Yorkers and employed Jewish staffers during his campaign, argued that the mayor-elect has avoided engaging with major Jewish institutions.
He pointed out that Mamdani recently visited an anti-Zionist synagogue, which Greenblatt compared to “going to the black breakout at CPAC and saying you understand African Americans.”
“I am willing to have conversations — hard conversations,” Greenblatt said. “Because my job is to keep the community safe. But what I want to make sure is, he doesn’t create an environment where Jewish people are unsafe. He doesn’t create an environment where ‘global intifada’ becomes a mantra.”
Greenblatt emphasized that he was not accusing Mamdani of personally endorsing antisemitism but said the ADL will remain vigilant as the incoming administration takes shape.
ADL Launches ‘Mamdani Monitor’ and NYC Antisemitism Tipline
In response to concerns about Mamdani’s record and affiliations, Greenblatt announced that the ADL is launching a “Mamdani Monitor” to track the backgrounds of Mamdani’s appointees and the funding of organizations connected to his administration.
The ADL will also establish a “New York City Antisemitism Tipline” to document and respond to reported incidents of antisemitic harassment or violence.
Mamdani Pledges to Stand ‘Steadfast’ With Jewish New Yorkers
In his victory speech Thursday night, Mamdani addressed the controversy directly, promising to lead an inclusive administration and to fight antisemitism in all forms.
“We will build a City Hall that stands steadfast alongside Jewish New Yorkers and does not waver in the fight against the scourge of antisemitism,” Mamdani told supporters.
Jewish groups, including the New York Solidarity Network and the UJA Federation, have issued statements pledging to hold Mamdani’s incoming administration accountable and to oppose any “Jew-bashing” in city government.
A Test for Progressive Leadership in New York City
Mamdani’s election — celebrated by many on the left as a progressive victory — has already exposed deep tensions within the Democratic coalition over Israel, antisemitism, and the boundaries of activism. The planned meeting brokered by Scarborough and Sharpton could represent an early test of whether the new mayor can bridge divides between progressive activists and the city’s Jewish community at a moment of heightened global and local tensions.
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…they should get along just fine, as in murder, inc.
Really he does some good?? wow
The Jihadist will never make peace with the Jews, who will probably be his greatest opponents.