Every elected official has the right to express deeply held political convictions.

Not every elected official serves the largest Jewish community outside Israel.

That distinction is what makes New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s rhetoric about Israel worthy of far greater scrutiny than it has received.

This is not because criticism of Israel should be off limits. It should not. Israel is a democracy, and democracies invite criticism of their governments, military decisions, and public policies.

The issue is something different.

Leadership carries responsibilities that extend beyond the right to speak freely. Public officials also have a duty to consider how their words affect the people they represent, especially communities that are experiencing heightened fear and vulnerability.

New York is home to more Jews than any city outside Israel. At a time when antisemitic incidents have risen sharply in the United States, Jewish New Yorkers reasonably expect their mayor to exercise particular care when discussing........

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