WSJ: Antisemitism Surges 25 Years After 9/11

As the sun set on the anniversary of 9/11, Jewish New Yorkers began observing Rosh Hashanah. The convergence was striking. “Never forget” is the promise we made after Sept. 11, 2001. “Never again” is the solemn lesson carried forward from the Holocaust.

A generation has come of age with no personal memory of 9/11. At the same time, antisemitism has reached even higher levels. Confirmed hate crimes in New York City  increased nearly 16% during the first eight months of the year. Jews make up roughly 10% of the city’s population, yet they were the targets of more than half of confirmed hate crimes (229 of 425).

Many Jewish New Yorkers question whether they are safe in the city they helped create. The problem isn’t merely the existence of antisemitism. It’s the growing willingness to explain it away. Antisemitism has become another political argument—something to contextualize, rationalize or condemn selectively depending on partisanship or ideology.

Criticism of Israel’s government isn’t inherently antisemitic. But when Jews are blamed collectively for actions taken by a government thousands of miles away, that isn’t legitimate criticism of Israel—it is antisemitism.

Leadership means saying so—especially when it is politically difficult.

During last year’s mayoral campaign, the Middle East became one of the dominant issues in a race that should have hinged on crime, housing, education and city services. I understand the political calculation. Elected officials don’t like telling supporters the truth when they don’t want to hear it. But there are still truth and facts.

The U.S. is confronting conflict with Iran and instability across the Middle East. That doesn’t make Muslims the enemy, but it does make terrorism a major concern. A serious society should be capable of saying both things at once: We won’t demonize innocent people, and we won’t deny genuine threats because acknowledging them is politically uncomfortable.

In March federal prosecutors charged two alleged ISIS supporters with attempting to detonate explosive devices during protests outside Gracie Mansion. The defendants allegedly sought to cause mass casualties. Fortunately, the devices failed and law enforcement quickly intervened.
The New York City Police Department has reportedly increased security around the 9/11 anniversary and the Jewish High Holy Days, including additional counterterrorism deployments and protection of Jewish institutions. But we shouldn’t be afraid to discuss the reality for fear of political backlash.

The lesson of 9/11 wasn’t to live in fear, it was to remain vigilant. The lesson of the Holocaust wasn’t simply to mourn the dead, it was to recognize the warning signs and refuse to become indifferent to them.

Antisemitism was never completely eradicated. It is like a virus in the body politic. It can lie dormant. And when society’s defenses weaken, it returns. Terrorism is much the same. We were right: “Never again” and “Never forget.”

Mr. Cuomo served as governor of New York, 2011-21, and was a candidate for New York City mayor in 2025.