Zohran Mamdani's Record on Jewish and Israel Affairs Raises Eyebrows, Concerns

In recent months, Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani has surged into the spotlight as the democratic nominee for Mayor of New York City. While my colleagues at CPAC have already done an excellent job outlining his radical economic and regulatory agenda [here], many in progressive circles celebrate his rise as representing a new kind of politics—they say it is one rooted in justice, inclusion, and systemic reform. But for large swaths of the Jewish community, Mamdani's candidacy triggers deep concern and discomfort, shaped by a troubling record on Jewish issues and a pattern of rhetoric that has often been hostile, dismissive, or outright offensive.

One story that recently came to light is about a parody video Mamdani shared online that appeared to mock the traditions of Hanukkah. The video, which featured anthropomorphized Jewish symbols like dreidels and menorahs dancing to South Asian music, was widely condemned by Jewish advocacy groups as culturally insensitive and offensive. Organizations such as StopAntisemitism.org labeled it “sick” and said that it trivialized a sacred Jewish holiday. As of this writing, his campaign has not responded to requests to clarify his intentions when sharing the video. For a candidate that prides himself on his sensitivity to identity politics, such mockery—especially from an elected public official —struck many as a signal of disregard toward Jewish sensitivities and practices.

Far more troubling than a video, however, is Mamdani’s continued refusal to condemn the phrase “globalize the intifada”, despite a recent wave of violent attacks on Jewish Americans. On a recent “Meet the Press” appearance, anchor Kristen Welker pressed Mamdani three times on whether he condemned the phrase. Each time, Mamdani refused to denounce it.

Mamdan’s unwillingness to reject language that glorifies a violent uprising—especially in the wake of Hamas’s October 7th massacre—raises urgent questions about his moral clarity and priorities. Jewish leaders across denominational lines have asked: if Mamdani cannot recognize the pain that such language causes, how can he be trusted to lead a city with over a million Jews?

He is also an open supporter of the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, & Sanctions) movement, has accused Israel of "near-genocide" in Gaza, and backed legislation targeting Jewish nonprofits that provide humanitarian support in the West Bank. Mamdani’s rhetoric has often crossed a line—using terms that evoke antisemitic tropes and drawing moral equivalence between democratic Israel and terrorist regimes.

Mamdani is also one of a tiny fringe group of radicals that has refused to co-sponsor any of the Holocaust memorial resolutions that have made their way through the State Assembly.

The day after October 7, he tweeted, “The path toward a just and lasting peace can only begin by ending the occupation and dismantling apartheid.”

Veteran Jewish Democratic strategist Hank Sheinkopf didn’t mince words when speaking to ABC News about the potential impact of a Mamdani administration at City Hall: “It’s the end of Jewish New York as we know it,” he warned. “New York is a testing ground for national Democratic politics. What happens here will likely echo in cities across the country.”

Let’s hope his prediction of New York’s demise is premature, and responsible voices put forth an alternative vision for America’s largest city.