Oklahoma – “Antisemitism is not an abstract debate. It has real victims,” Arkansas Sen. James Lankford said after a stabbing attack in New York City that injured two men, including a Jewish man, as he warned that inflammatory rhetoric can contribute to the spread of hatred.
In a July 24 statement on X, Lankford said the attack was “a tragic reminder that reckless rhetoric has consequences” and criticized comments from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani regarding Israel. Lankford argued that leaders who describe Israel as a “genocidal state” and challenge the legitimacy of the country contribute to an environment where antisemitism can grow.
“We should be crystal clear: America stands with the Jewish people. We stand with Israel. And we reject antisemitism in every form,” Lankford wrote.
The senator’s comments came after an attack on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, where two men were stabbed on July 23. Authorities said one of the victims was visibly Jewish and had been in an area known for its Jewish institutions. Both victims, ages 57 and 50, were hospitalized with stab wounds and were reported to be in stable condition.
According to reports, police arrested Raul Morales, 51, in connection with the attack. Authorities later pursued hate-crime charges, including attempted murder and assault charges, after investigators reviewed witness statements and circumstances surrounding the incident. Reports said witnesses and victims told police the suspect shouted “Allahu Akbar” during the attacks, WSJ reported.
The incident prompted condemnation from elected officials and Jewish community leaders, who called for action against antisemitism and increased protection for Jewish residents. Some Jewish leaders also criticized Mamdani’s past statements regarding Israel, arguing that his rhetoric has contributed to concerns among Jewish communities, TTI reported.
Lankford specifically referenced Mamdani’s previous criticism of Israel in his statement. The senator said leaders should recognize the potential consequences of their words and called for a stronger rejection of antisemitism.
Mamdani, who has faced criticism over his views on Israel, has previously defended his positions as criticism of Israeli government policies rather than hostility toward Jewish people. Following the New York attack, his office said the city would not tolerate violence and emphasized the need to respond to hate and threats against residents.
The debate surrounding the attack has intensified a broader national discussion over the line between criticism of Israel’s government and rhetoric that some Jewish organizations and lawmakers say can fuel antisemitism.
Lankford’s comments reflect his continued support for Israel and his calls for action against antisemitism. The Arkansas senator has previously spoken about protecting Jewish communities and opposing what he describes as efforts to undermine Israel’s legitimacy.
“America stands with the Jewish people,” Lankford wrote in his statement, adding that the country must reject antisemitism regardless of where it appears.
The investigation into the New York attack remains ongoing, with authorities continuing to review evidence and the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“America stands with the Jewish people,” Oklahoma Sen. Lankford says leaders like Mamdani should not be surprised when hatred spreads after New York attack over remarks about Israel
