MID-ATLANTIC EDITION

Headlines

NYC Jewish Groups Criticize Mayor's Antisemitism Plan
Union County School Candidate's Sign Vandalized with Swastika
British Green Party Faces Antisemitism Crisis Over 'Zionism is Racism' Vote

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Transcript

You're listening to Antisemitism Watch Mid-Atlantic edition, I'm Rachel Adler.

In New York City, a coalition of over two dozen Jewish community groups is criticizing Mayor Zohran Mamdani's new 33-page plan to combat antisemitism. According to the New York Post, the groups allege the plan "deliberately ignores hatred targeting Jews and Israel" and "largely sidestep[s] the biggest threat Jewish New Yorkers" face, which they describe as "violence cloaked as anti-Israel activism." In a letter to the Mayor's Office to Combat Antisemitism, the coalition stated the blueprint "falls dangerously short" by failing to define antisemitism and by omitting any mention of Zionism, demanding a new plan that addresses anti-Zionist hatred. The groups argue that any strategy must acknowledge how antisemitism is experienced by Jewish New Yorkers. While the plan includes a $3 million increase to $29 million annually for hate crime prevention and security at Jewish institutions, the coalition views this omission as the plan's central failure. A spokesman for Mayor Mamdani defended the plan, stating it reflects the administration's commitment to rooting out antisemitism "in all its forms."

Meanwhile, in Union County, a campaign sign for a school board candidate was defaced with a swastika and an antisemitic slur. According to reporting from qcnews.com and Yahoo News, the vandalism targeted a campaign sign for Alexis Stadler, who is running for the Union County Public Schools Board. This incident of defacement signifies vandalism with clear antisemitic intent impacting local elections.

In broader political discourse, reporting from Jewish News indicates the British Green Party is facing an antisemitism crisis after members resoundingly backed a motion stating 'Zionism is racism.' The controversy has led to consequences for Zack Polanski, who was reportedly barred from entering Israel following the party's adoption of the policy. Protests were also held outside the Green Party conference in Brighton.

I'm Rachel Adler, thank you for listening to Antisemitism Watch Mid-Atlantic edition.

For broader coverage of antisemitism across the United States and around the world, listen to Antisemitism Watch at clockwork media dot org slash A W.

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This report was generated with AI assistance and may contain inaccuracies. Please verify important details with primary sources.

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Sources:
- yahoo.com: https://www.yahoo.com/news/videos/union-county-school-board-candidate-020518040.html
- youtube.com: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRcOhzmnYcA
- qcnews.com: https://www.qcnews.com/news/u-s/north-carolina/union-county/union-county-school-board-candidates-campaign-sign-defaced-with-swastika/
- nypost.com: https://nypost.com/2026/10/03/us-news/jewish-groups-blast-nyc-mayor-mamdanis-antisemitism-plan/
- jewishnews.co.uk: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/zack-polanski-barred-from-israel-after-zionism-is-racism-made-party-policy/
- jewishnews.co.uk: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/greens-plunged-into-antisemitism-crisis-after-members-resoundingly-back-zionism-is-racism-motion/

If you've witnessed or experienced an antisemitic incident, report it to your local Jewish Federation:

In a true emergency, call 911 first.

• Middlesex & Monmouth, NJ — Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey: Report an incident

• Greater MetroWest, NJ (Essex, Morris, Union, Somerset) — Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ: Report an incident

• Northern NJ (Bergen, Hudson, Passaic) — Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey: Report an incident

• Greater Philadelphia — Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia: Report an incident

• NYC, Long Island, Westchester & Rockland — UJA-Federation of New York: Responding to antisemitism