Mayor-Elect’s Stance on Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Stirs Debate Within Jewish Communities and Advocacy Organizations
Mamdani and Israel: Navigating Complex Questions on Gaza and Antisemitism
As Zohran Mamdani prepares to take office as New York City’s first Muslim mayor, his long-standing positions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict have created a complex terrain of political opportunity and challenge. Mamdani’s forthright criticism of Israel’s military operations in Gaza, combined with his refusal to affirm Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state, has energized some constituencies while alarming others–particularly within New York’s substantial Jewish community.
A Record of Palestinian Advocacy
Mamdani’s positions on Israel predate his mayoral campaign by years. According to The Times of Israel, Mamdani has accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, backed the Boycott, Divest, and Sanctions (BDS) movement targeting Israeli goods, and pledged to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should he visit New York, citing an International Criminal Court warrant for which the United States is not a member.
During mayoral debates, Mamdani repeatedly described Israel’s military actions in Gaza as genocide. When asked whether he supports Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state during an October debate, he responded: “I would not recognize any state’s right to exist with a system of hierarchy on the basis of race or religion.” This position–distinguishing between supporting Israel’s existence and supporting its character as a Jewish state–has become central to controversies surrounding his candidacy.
The Antisemitism Question
Jewish advocacy organizations have raised concerns about some of Mamdani’s past statements. The Anti-Defamation League announced an unprecedented “Mamdani Monitor” initiative following his election victory, pledging to track policies and appointments by his administration affecting Jewish community safety and security. ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt acknowledged that about one-third of Jewish New Yorkers voted for Mamdani but expressed concern about patterns in his rhetoric, suggesting he applies “double standards” to Israel compared to other nations.
One particularly contentious issue involved Mamdani’s handling of the phrase “globalize the intifada”–terminology used in pro-Palestinian activism that many Jews associate with calls for violence. When asked about the phrase during his campaign, Mamdani initially declined to condemn it, stating “the role of the mayor is not to police language.” Following criticism from politicians and advocacy groups, including Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Mamdani shifted position, saying he would “discourage” use of the phrase. He later described conversations with Jewish New Yorkers that led to his evolving stance.
Perspectives Within the Jewish Community
However, the Jewish community’s response has not been monolithic. According to reporting from CNN Politics, younger Jewish voters and some Jewish leaders–including City Comptroller Brad Lander and U.S. Representative Jerry Nadler–endorsed Mamdani, viewing his pro-Palestinian activism as legitimate political advocacy rather than antisemitism. The American Jewish community has experienced generational division on Israel, with polling from the American Progress organization and others showing younger Jews attach less emotional significance to Israel than older generations.
During the election campaign, approximately 31 percent of Jewish voters supported Mamdani, according to NBC News exit polling, though 64 percent supported former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who ran as an independent emphasizing public safety and support for Israel.
Recent Tensions and Promises Going Forward
A November 19 pro-Palestinian protest outside Park East Synagogue on Manhattan’s Upper East Side intensified concerns. Protesters opposing a Nefesh B’Nefesh event–focused on facilitating Jewish immigration to Israel–chanted slogans including “death to the IDF” and “globalize the intifada.” Mayor-elect Mamdani issued a carefully worded statement emphasizing his commitment to rooting out antisemitism, though he did not explicitly denounce the protest itself. His response drew criticism from the ADL and other Jewish organizations who felt his statement was insufficiently clear.
Mamdani has proposed significant investments to address antisemitism, pledging to increase funding for hate violence prevention programs from $3 million to $26 million and supporting programs like “Hidden Voices,” which would teach students from kindergarten through 12th grade about Jewish Americans in U.S. history. He has also committed to combating hate crimes, which according to NYPD data, disproportionately target Jewish New Yorkers.
As Mamdani takes office in January 2026, observers across the political spectrum will closely monitor both his stated commitments to protecting Jewish safety and his positions on municipal relationships with Israel–an area where previous mayors have maintained institutional ties through entities such as the NYC-Israel Economic Council.
