"I'll tell you four words. This morning, at my briefing, my special counsel Lisa Zornberg told me something I want us all to know: We've been through tough moments, New Yorkers, we're tough people. We saw our trade center collapse, we saw the terrible deeds committed in our city and in our country. But she said something that struck my soul.
She told our staff: "We're not okay. We are not okay when we see young girls being taken from home and dragged through the streets. We are not okay when we see grandmothers being dragged out of their homes and children being shot next to their families. We're wrong when right here in New York City there are those celebrating at a time when disaster is happening. We are wrong when Hamas believes that they are fighting for something in their destructive and despicable actions. We are not okay when we still have abductees who have not returned home to their families. We're not okay, and we're not going to say that we should keep our composure and act like everything is fine. Because everything is wrong."
Apart from President Biden's historic speech, it is doubtful whether since the beginning of the war there has been another speech by an overseas personality like that of Eric Adams, the mayor of New York City. In his speech to the UN General Assembly, Adams attacked all those who found symmetry between Hamas' crimes and Israel's defense of itself. He also referred to the anti-Semitic and anti-Israeli atmosphere that characterizes large parts of the American elite these days. On social media and in Israel, his phrase "We're not okay" has already become a coin of tongue.
Later in his speech, Adams added: "Israel has the right to defend itself – and that is the right we know. Your war is our war. Here in New York, we have the largest Jewish population outside of Israel. This is where our voice needs to be heard and resonated across the country."
New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Photo: Ronen Rick
"We will not be okay until everyone responsible for this act pays for their actions. We don't have to pretend. And I want to thank the religious leaders across the city, of all faiths, who have contacted us and clearly stated that they condemn the hatred and anti-Semitism that we saw on one of the holiest days of the year. It was deliberate, it was evil, it was something that shows that Hamas needs to be destroyed immediately. So I'm telling you, I'm not here because I'm your mayor. As a senator, I visited Israel. As a police officer, I protected the community of this city as a whole, and specifically the Jewish community. I stood by you as borough president, and now I am here to say that I am not only the manager of this city, but I am your brother. Your struggle is my struggle."
22 years of police service
Adams' personal story is also inspiring. He was born in Brooklyn, the fourth of six children of Dorothy and Leroy. He grew up with his mother and siblings in South Jamaica, Queens. At the age of 15, he and his brother were beaten and arrested by police, an event that influenced him to join the police. He retired after 22 years of service with the rank of captain.
In 2006, Adams was elected to the New York State Senate representing the 20th District. He served as chairman of the Homeland Security and Military Affairs Committee, and in 2013 was elected Brooklyn borough president, a position he began serving in January 2014. At the end of 2017, he was elected to another term. In 2021, he won the Democratic primary for mayor of New York City, and won the general election in November of that year. He took office on January 1, 2022.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Photo: Reuters
Last August, Adams visited Israel and met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the leaders of the Kaplan protest and Moshe Leon, the mayor of Jerusalem. Dealing with legal reform was at the center of the visit, but two months later those issues seem like distant history.
Adams is considered a friend of Israel who is well acquainted with what is happening in the Middle East. Because of his proximity to President Biden, it was important for him to be the first mayor of major cities to stand with Israel. Since his speech, and despite the harsh atmosphere in the United States, the incitement on student campuses against Israel without an appropriate response and fear by the Israeli community in the big cities, Adams has only intensified his tone against Hamas, and he does so in our interview with him, which is presented here.
Mayor Adams, are you aware of the enormous impact your speech had in Israel?
"Yes, because we're really wrong with what happened, and we should be angry. You have to say things as they are and not go round and round or squirm. When something as terrible as these terrorist attacks happens, we need to be honest, clear and honest with the public. That's what people who trust their leaders expect them to do, to be told the truth. Hamas terrorists brought death and terror to innocent Israelis. That's the truth and it needs to be told."
Do you think the American public understands the seriousness of the crimes and their consequences?
"We've all seen the pictures and read the personal stories, so I guess we understand very well what happened in Israel on Black Saturday. But we are across the ocean, and in the end there is no way to fully understand what the citizens of Israel are going through. The New Yorker can't really understand what it's like to walk around the street and think about where the nearest shelter is, and that you have to get there within seconds, if there's suddenly an alarm and missiles are fired at you. However we look at it, the bottom line is that New Yorkers don't walk around in fear of missiles coming from our neighbors."
What actions is your municipality taking to combat the rising phenomenon of anti-Semitism and the danger currently facing institutions affiliated with Jews and Israelis in New York?
"New York is home to the world's largest Jewish population outside of Israel. Protecting the Jewish community here is a responsibility that I see as sacred. The police officers and people responsible for our security are on high alert and we are with an increased police presence throughout the city. After terror struck Israel, we recruited NYPD officers en masse and increased patrols around synagogues, schools and large communities. In addition, we invited Jewish leaders in New York to several one-on-one meetings, Zoom calls and phone calls to inform the community of what was happening and give them the feeling that there was someone watching over them. For their part, they spoke of their concerns, and we promised to stay informed if necessary. We also made a public announcement to New Yorkers to be vigilant: 'If you see something, say something.'"
President Biden has said many times in the past that "you don't have to be a Jew to be a Zionist," and you, too, have emphasized our shared values.
"It's clear that we can all identify with the need to feel at home. We all deserve a place where we feel like we belong where we feel safe, that's natural. For so many Jews around the world, this place is Israel. Because Jews have been persecuted in so many countries, it is even more important to have a place like Israel. We must also remember that for us, Israel is much more than that. It is also one of our closest allies, it is a bastion of democracy in the Middle East." How did you feel about President Biden's decision to visit Israel at such a critical time, and what message do you believe it sends to both peoples and the rest of the world?" I want to thank the President for this journey at such a critical time for Israel to demonstrate our nation's unwavering support for this juncture that we have reached together. In these days, it is clear that nothing is more important than being together with Israel and against terrorism and hatred. We need to show a united front against the forces of evil that are trying to divide us. A few months ago I visited Israel and this visit filled me with pride, I am happy that I have brothers and sisters in Israel, and even now they remain close to my heart."
Wrong? We'll fix it! If you find a mistake in the article, please share with us