NYPD Commissioner Apologizes After Being Called ‘Enemy’ of Jewish People by Mamdani’s Brother

NYPD Commissioner Apologizes After Brother Labels NYC Mayor-elect as “Enemy” of Jewish People

New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani addressed tensions Thursday following an incident at a high-profile charity dinner where NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch’s brother described him as an “enemy” of the Jewish people.

Speaking at his community Cocoa Chat meeting, Mamdani confirmed that Commissioner Tisch had personally apologized to his team for the remarks made by her brother, Benjamin Tisch, CEO of Loews Corporation, during the Met Council’s annual gala at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Manhattan on Wednesday night.

“The commissioner apologized to my team for those remarks, and I look forward to being a mayor for each and every New Yorker, including Jewish New Yorkers,” Mamdani said, emphasizing that the incident would not interfere with their working relationship.

Mamdani, a democratic socialist who won a surprise victory in New York’s mayoral race, has chosen to retain Tisch as police commissioner despite their policy differences. “My focus in my conversations with Commissioner Tisch is on delivering public safety and doing so in tandem with justice for New Yorkers across the five boroughs,” he explained.

The incident has heightened existing tensions as Mamdani prepares to take office on January 1. He has faced criticism for his outspoken positions on Israel, though he has repeatedly rejected allegations that his views are antisemitic.

In a statement to Fox News Digital, NYPD spokesperson Brad Weekes shared Commissioner Tisch’s message: “I understand the fear in the Jewish community. My sincere belief is that the mayor-elect will live up to the commitment he’s made to be a mayor for all New Yorkers, including the Jewish community.”

According to attendees who spoke with the New York Daily News, the room fell into stunned silence when Benjamin Tisch made his remarks about Mamdani. “It was just like, ‘wow, he’s actually going to go there,'” one witness recounted. Benjamin Tisch has not yet commented publicly on the incident.

The controversy highlights the complex political dynamics at play in Mamdani’s incoming administration. The Tisch family has been politically active in New York City politics, with members donating more than $1 million to super PACs opposing Mamdani’s candidacy and supporting former Governor Andrew Cuomo during the 2025 mayoral race. Commissioner Tisch herself did not make such donations.

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has previously expressed concerns about Mamdani’s positions, even launching a “Mamdani Monitor” to track the mayor-elect’s statements and actions regarding antisemitism. The organization’s initiative reflects broader anxieties among some Jewish community members about his administration.

Last month, in an interview with the NY Daily News, Mamdani acknowledged these political differences but remained optimistic about working with Tisch: “The two of us will not shy away from the fact that we hold disagreements on certain issues… but I also believe that these disagreements are not only reconcilable, but they are the sign of a healthy partnership to come.”

The controversy comes at a delicate time for Mamdani as he builds his administration ahead of taking office next month. His decision to retain Tisch as police commissioner was viewed as a significant olive branch to moderate voters concerned about his progressive agenda.

As Mamdani prepares for his inauguration, the incident underscores the challenges he faces in uniting a diverse city with complex political and cultural divisions. His response to this early test of leadership suggests he aims to focus on governance rather than allowing personal attacks to derail his transition into office.

Neither Mamdani nor Benjamin Tisch has responded to additional requests for comment on the matter.