The mayor-elect’s long record of Palestinian solidarity complicates his path to governing a city with the world’s largest Diaspora Jewish population
An Unprecedented Challenge for Jewish-Muslim Relations
When Zohran Mamdani takes office as New York City’s first Muslim mayor, he will do so as the leader of a city home to approximately 1.1 million Jewish residentsthe largest Jewish community in the Diaspora. This demographic reality compounds what is already one of the most significant political questions facing his administration: how can a municipal leader with a decades-long record of Palestinian advocacy govern effectively for a community that views support for Israel as foundational? The answer remains uncertain, and the stakes are substantial. Antisemitism in New York has risen to unprecedented levels in recent years, with Jewish residents experiencing hate crimes at higher rates than any other group in the city, according to NYPD data. Jewish community leaders worry that Mamdani’s vocal opposition to Israeli government policies could create a “permission structure” for antisemitic attacks. Simultaneously, younger Jewish votersparticularly those aged 18-34increasingly sympathize with Palestinian rights. According to CNN reporting on Jewish voting patterns, while 56% of Jewish Americans express emotional attachment to Israel overall, that number falls to 36% among those under 35. This generational split complicates the political landscape considerably.
A Contested Record
Mamdani’s statements on Israel have been forthright and unequivocal. He characterizes Israeli conduct in Gaza as genocide, supports the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, and has refused to affirm that Israel has a right to exist as a Jewish stateinstead arguing it should exist as a state providing equal rights to all residents. These positions are widely held within progressive circles and resonate strongly with younger Democrats and pro-Palestinian activists. However, they create significant distance from mainstream Jewish organizational leadership. The Times of Israel has documented Mamdani’s extensive record of statements on these issues, including his repeated use of the term “genocide” to describe Israeli military operations and his endorsement of the phrase “globalize the intifada”a reference to Palestinian uprisings that many Jews associate with violence against Israeli civilians. When confronted with this language during his campaign, Mamdani initially declined to condemn it, arguing “the role of the mayor is not to police language.” He later clarified he would not personally use the phrase but still declined to disavow it entirely.
Attempting to Build Bridges
Mamdani has made efforts to reach Jewish voters and community leaders. He attended services at multiple synagogues, including progressive congregations like Lab Shul and Kolot Chayeinu, participated in high holiday services, and met with Hasidic leaders from Williamsburg’s Satmar community. He promised to maintain police protection for pro-Israel events and stated he would not apply an Israel-related litmus test to mayoral appointees. These gestures acknowledge the political reality that building a workable relationship with Jewish New Yorkers is essential to his success as mayor. Yet exit polling tells a sobering story about the limits of these overtures. NBC News found that 60% of Jewish voters supported Andrew Cuomo, while only about 31% voted for Mamdani. This 29-point gap represents a significant political liability for any mayor claiming to govern for all New Yorkers. It also raises questions about how Mamdani will allocate municipal resources, staff city agencies, and make decisions on matters tangentially related to Israeli-Palestinian issues.
The Test Case: A Synagogue Protest
A November incident at Park East Synagogue provides an early indication of the challenges ahead. Pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside the synagogue to oppose an event hosted by Nefesh B’Nefesh, an organization that facilitates American Jewish immigration to Israel. Protesters chanted “death to the IDF” and “globalize the intifada”language that deeply offended Jewish community members. Mamdani’s response proved revealing. While he issued a statement discouraging the protesters’ language, he also criticized the synagogue for hosting what he characterized as an event promoting “activities in violation of international law.” CNN reported that this criticism of the synagoguerather than unequivocal support for its right to host the eventsignaled to Jewish leaders that Mamdani’s administration might not consistently protect Jewish institutions or Israeli supporters from harassment or criticism.
The Monitoring Project
The Anti-Defamation League announced plans to establish an “initiative to track and monitor Mamdani administration policies and appointments,” including tracking actions affecting “Jewish community safety and security.” While ADL Director Jonathan Greenblatt framed this as accountability journalism rather than accusation, it nonetheless signals deep mistrust from institutional Jewish leadership. The ADL also established a tip line for New Yorkers to report antisemitic incidents.
A Path Forward
Mamdani’s success in governing will likely depend on his ability to separate rhetorical commitment to Palestinian rights from municipal governance decisions affecting Jewish communities. He can maintain his political principles while ensuring robust police response to antisemitic hate crimes, protecting synagogues from harassment, and appointing qualified Jewish people to city positions. Some Jewish politicians, including longtime supporters like Congressman Jerry Nadler, have praised aspects of Mamdani’s approach to these complex issues. Whether such voices can bridge the gap remains to be seen. The next four years will test whether a municipal leader with passionate commitments to Palestinian liberation can also credibly protect Jewish New Yorkers’ safety and rights.
