While Satmar Hasidic Community Blasts Mamdani’s School Safety Veto, Critics Say They Have Only Themselves To Blame

Mayor Mamdani’s veto of a bill that would have created security perimeters during protests around New York City schools, including yeshivas, is laying bare a rift within the Satmar Hasidic community over support for the socialist mayor. Mr. Mamdani vetoed Intro. 175-B on Friday, arguing that the measure defined “educational institution” too broadly and could be weaponized against protesters, including those “demonstrating in support of Palestinian rights.”The veto drew swift condemnation from leading Jewish organizations, which have warned of increasingly unruly anti-Israel demonstrations outside of Jewish schools and synagogues. Among the critics was the Satmar Hasidic community, which denounced the decision on its official X account.“We’re horrified by @NYCMayor Mamdani’s decision to veto Intro 175, legislation that would have mandated clear safety plans around our schools and Yeshivas,” the account wrote on Saturday. “Our children’s safety should always be a top priority! This veto clearly doesn’t defend rights! It puts the safety of every student in NYC in harm’s way.” The statement drew scorn from Jewish voices who claimed that the Satmars had helped propel Mr. Mamdani to power by offering him their endorsement. Political commentator Shabbos Kestenbaum called on the community to “admit your mistake” and help forge a “united Jewish front in NYC.” The advocacy group Stop Antisemitism replied bluntly: “Play with snakes, get bit by snakes.”However, the Satmar community’s role in Mr. Mamdani’s victory is more complicated: the Hasidic community’s internal divisions over Mr. Mamdani erupted in November, when both Mr. Mamdani and his opponent, former Governor Andrew Cuomo, claimed the community’s backing. Although the leading political strategist of the Satmar’s Aharonim sect, Rabbi Moshe Indig, publicly endorsed Mr. Mamdani, the Satmar board of directors and senior congregation officials dismissed the move as “totally unauthorized.” The board then moved to “counteract the messaging” by endorsing Mr. Cuomo.The Satmar Hasidic dynasty is divided into two factions led by brothers Aharon Teitelbaum and Zalman Leib Teitelbaum. Rabbi Aharon Teitelbaum leads the Ahronim faction, based primarily in Kiryas Joel, New York, though a significant Ahronim community exists in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Zalman Leib leads the larger Zaloynim faction in Williamsburg.Both factions endorsed Mr. Cuomo during the Democratic primary, though the Zaloynim did not issue an endorsement for the general election. Rabbi Indig has been called instrumental in guiding previous high-profile endorsements for successful mayoral candidates Bill de Blasio and Eric Adams.The endorsement dispute reflects broader tensions within non-Zionist, ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities over whether to support Mr. Mamdani’s left-wing anti-Zionism.The Satmar movement does not recognize the theological legitimacy of the modern state of Israel, but distinguishes itself from the fringe ultra-Orthodox group Neturei Karta, which is vehemently anti-Zionist. Satmar has disavowed Neturei Karta for associating with Holocaust deniers and Hamas supporters.In response to the backlash, an outlet covering Hasidic affairs, FrumNews, republished an op-ed arguing that the Satmar community did not, in fact, deliver Mr. Mamdani his victory. Citing election data from heavily Hasidic precincts, the piece found that “Overall, frum Jewish communities voted for Cuomo and Silwa; few, if any, voted for Mamdani. Williamsburg was no different — voter turnout was significantly higher and as a whole didn’t vote for Mamdani.” The editors explained they reshared the piece after “many — including many prominent accounts — bashed them for voting for him. As we covered here, based on data, they didn’t.”The bill may still have a chance at becoming law. The speaker of the New York City Council, Julie Menin, has signaled that she will try to rouse support for the bill, which passed just four-votes shy of a veto-proof majority at 30 to 19. Moreover, a special election scheduled Tuesday — shaping up to be a proxy fight between Ms. Menin and Mr. Mamdani — could make an override easier or harder to achieve. The former chief of staff to the previous holder seat, Carl Wilson, who is backed by Ms. Menin, told news outlet City and State New York that he would support an override. Two other candidates, including Mr. Mamdani’s preference, former gubernatorial aide Lindsey Boylan, and Layla Law-Gisiko both said that they would support the mayor’s veto.

While Satmar Hasidic Community Blasts Mamdani’s School Safety Veto, Critics Say They Have Only Themselves To Blame

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