In response to Dov Blech's op-ed in The Jerusalem Post.
Dov, I respect that you had a positive meeting with NYC Mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani. Personal interactions can absolutely feel reassuring.
However, those of us who come from the Arab and Muslim world have learned something very different from our history. We grew up immersed in these cultures. We understand the code-switching, the dual messaging, and the gap that often exists between what is said quietly to individuals and what is shouted proudly in public.
Our communities saw this movie before. In Baghdad, in Cairo, in Tripoli. Jewish neighbors were embraced as “brothers” right up until the moment the street turned against them. The warning signs were always visible in public rhetoric, public affiliations, and public mobilization long before the disaster arrived at the doorstep.
Middle Eastern Jews see old antisemitic patterns in Mamdani
We cannot ignore:
• Public alignment with movements that define Israel as a colonial crime
• Repeated participation in rallies where demonization of Jews is normalized
• Ideological coalitions that consistently place hostility to Zionism at the center
• Advocacy that questions the Jewish right to safety and sovereignty
A friendly conversation does not invalidate these patterns. Patterns tell the truth.
This is not about demonizing Muslims. Many protected us. Many are still our family and dear friends. It is about recognizing that the environments a leader chooses and the crowds they empower reveal far more than a cordial meeting ever will.
Our European brothers and sisters often come from a worldview where dialogue and diplomacy change outcomes. We pray they are right. Our perspective simply insists that trust must be earned by action, not by a pleasant exchange.
We are not suspicious of ideology. We are cautious by memory.
When Jews who survived the Middle East say, “Pay attention,” it is not hysteria.
It is experienced individuals trying to prevent history from repeating itself.
The writer, political activist, and prominent community leader. She was honored as a Woman of Distinction in 2022 by Senator Simcha Felder for her leadership and activism. Linda is also the host of The Silent Revolution on Spotify, where she shares weekly classes blending Torah, prayer, and real-world reflection, making ancient wisdom urgent and relevant for our times.