New York City mayoral candidate Brad Lander is already facing his first hurdle: the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
As the city comptroller and the highest-ranking Jewish member of New York City politics, he has attempted to walk a political tightrope since the Oct. 7 attacks, condemning Hamas while also cozying up to the far-left wing of the Democratic Party, which has been a harsh critic of Israel.
But just days into the campaign, experts say the tactic has become an early weakness, leaving party members vulnerable to attacks from key members of the Jewish community.
“Lander’s [Democratic Socialists of America] “Hateful, anti-Semitic attacks against Jewish people in New York City are not the values we New Yorkers want from our mayor,” said Michael Nussbaum, founding president of the Queens Jewish Community Council.
“As a leader in New York’s Jewish community, I find Lander’s announcement at a time when Israel and the Jewish people are struggling to cope with deadly rocket attacks from Hamas and our friends in Iran to be an affront given his support for those who want to wipe Israel off the map of the Middle East.”
Lander describes himself as “Progressive Zionists” recently endorsed a candidate for congressional elections along with city DSA members who have strongly opposed Israel and supported sanctions and boycotts.
He also came under fire earlier this year for splitting challah at a Palestinian restaurant with Socialist city council member Shahana Hanif.
One commentator said his stance could also leave him open to attack from the left.
“He has a Jewish problem,” said Democratic political consultant Ken Friedman.
“Far-left liberal Jews are the people Trump likes to rely on, but there aren’t as many of them as there used to be,” he said.
Lander’s predecessor, Auditor Scott Stringer, who announced his candidacy earlier this year, could cut out a significant portion of his voter base, Friedman said.
But he believes Lander still has a chance to challenge Adams, who has made significant efforts to win over pro-Israel New Yorkers since last year’s attack.
Last week, Adams hosted a summit at Gracie Mansion to address anti-Semitic hatred.
But Phylisa Wisdom, executive director of the New York Jewish Agenda, which she co-founded with Lander, said she and her group “reject the false dichotomy” that has been created around the issue.
“The vast majority of Jews agree with Lander,” Wisdom said. “Most Jews are liberal.”
“Most of us are pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian state. We want this war to end and the hostages to be released, and we reject the idea that criticizing this government’s handling of the war is anti-Israel.”
Lander’s campaign also pushed back against the criticism.
“The aggressive whisper campaign questioning whether Ms. Harris is a ‘good Jew’ is no different from Trump’s attacks on Kamala Harris’ Jewish husband, Doug Emhoff, and serves to distract from the major challenges facing New York City,” a campaign spokesperson said.
Chris Coffey, CEO of Tusk Strategies, said Lander’s issues go beyond the current political third rail line between Israel and Palestine.
“If you’re a die-hard Democrat in the city, what you care about right now is protecting our democracy and [Vice President Kamala] “I don’t think Harris is on board with that,” Coffrey said of Lander’s decision to enter the race so early.
“It makes you look selfish.”
