Israeli Concerns Mount as Pro-Palestinian Zohran Mamdani Wins New York Mayoral Election

Jerusalem:

The election of Zohran Mamdani as New York City's next mayor has triggered significant concern across Israel as citizens grapple with the victory of a politician known for his outspoken pro-Palestinian stance, which remains uncommon in American politics.

Israelis from various political backgrounds worry that Mamdani's election in the city with the world's second-largest Jewish population might signal cooling relations with the United States, Israel's most crucial ally. The fact that nearly one-third of Jewish voters supported Mamdani only heightened these concerns.

"Very bad," remarked Hana Jaeger, a Jerusalem resident, when assessing the news a day after the election. "For the Jews, for Israel, for everyone, it's very bad. What else can you say?"

While Mamdani's campaign focused substantially on local economic challenges such as affordable childcare and housing shortages, in Israel, his pro-Palestinian platform dominates public perception. His victory represents perhaps the strongest indication yet of shifting attitudes among the American public, particularly younger Democratic voters, showing diminished support for Israel. This trend appears to have accelerated due to outrage over the devastating war in Gaza initiated in response to Hamas' October 2023 attack.

Israeli government officials have expressed sharp disapproval, characterizing Mamdani, who is Muslim, as an Israel-hating antisemite. Analysts suggest these strong reactions reveal deep concerns about changing political dynamics.

"Even where there is a huge concentration of Jewish power, Jewish money, Jewish cultural and political influence — even in this place, an American can be elected with a clear anti-Israeli label on his lapel," wrote Shmuel Rosner, an analyst at the Jewish People Policy Institute.

"What he did proves that standing up against Israel ... can be politically profitable, or at least not harmful."

Israel has historically maintained a special relationship with New York City. The metropolis attracts numerous Israeli tourists and politicians, features abundant kosher restaurants, and houses an Israeli consulate focused heavily on Jewish community relations. Hebrew is frequently heard throughout the city streets and subway system.

However, throughout his campaign, 34-year-old Mamdani, a far-left state lawmaker, alarmed Israelis by openly rejecting the traditionally pro-Israel position adopted by New York mayoral candidates.

While acknowledging Israel's right to exist, Mamdani describes any state or social hierarchy favoring Jews over others as incompatible with his belief in universal human rights.

Many Israelis view this stance as challenging the fundamental premise of their country, which was established as a safe haven and homeland for Jews following the Holocaust. This vision has tested Israel's democratic principles; Palestinian citizens of Israel often face discrimination, and millions of Palestinians live under Israeli occupation in the West Bank.

Mamdani has also characterized the Gaza war as genocide, a claim Israel's government firmly denies. He's pledged to arrest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he visits the city and indicated he might sever ties with Israeli industries and academic institutions over the devastating conflict in Gaza.

Such positions have prompted accusations of antisemitism from mainstream Jewish organizations and Israel supporters. Nevertheless, Mamdani has consistently committed to combating antisemitism and has developed strong relationships with center-left Jewish leaders. According to AP Voter Poll data, he secured approximately 30% of the Jewish vote.

During his victory celebration Tuesday night, Mamdani declared, "we will build a City Hall that stands steadfast alongside Jewish New Yorkers and does not waver in the fight against the scourge of antisemitism."

Israeli commuters tuning into the popular Army Radio station Wednesday morning heard widespread condemnation and anxiety regarding Mamdani's victory. Israel's UN ambassador, Danny Danon, suggested that the New York "Jewish community's sense of security" might be compromised under Mamdani's mayorship, given his control over the city's police force.

Israel's minister of diaspora affairs, Amichai Chikli, a member of Netanyahu's nationalist Likud party, shared numerous anti-Mamdani graphics on social media, including a retweeted image of the Twin Towers engulfed in flames after the September 11, 2001 attacks, captioned "New York already forgot."

Chikli also encouraged New York Jews to relocate to Israel, claiming, "The city that was once a symbol of global freedom has handed over its keys to a Hamas supporter."

This extreme rhetoric reflects deeply rooted fears in Israel that American politics are heading in a new direction.

"For a long, long time, American domestic politics were dominated by pro-Israel politicians, pro-Israel views. In large part, they still are," noted Mairav Zonszein, a senior analyst with the International Crisis Group. "Mamdani's win represents that American Jews, specifically the younger generation, are changing and there's no longer this monopoly of pro-Israel politics in domestic US politics."

The Trump administration, which has expressed hostility toward Mamdani, has broadly supported Israel's operations in Gaza. It is currently working closely with Israel to determine next steps for Gaza reconstruction and ceasefire arrangements with Hamas.

Netanyahu did not immediately comment on Mamdani's victory. However, his office attempted Wednesday to reassure Israelis that the country's relationship with the US remained strong.

"We have a bond that is stronger than ever between Israel and the United States right now," government spokeswoman Shosh Bedrosian stated during her daily briefing.

She emphasized that the election results did not "undermine the incredible, enormous relationship the prime minister has with President Trump."

In the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Palestinians expressed markedly different sentiments.

"The election of Mr. Mamdani is truly inspiring," said Palestinian politician Mustafa Barghouti. "It reflects a great uprising among the younger generation of the United States, including the Jewish young generation, against political and social injustice."

"It also shows that the Palestinian issue has become an internal election issue all over the world, including in the United States of America."