Linda Sarsour, an activist known for her anti-Semitic views, has been a significant influence in Zoran Mamdani’s campaign for New York City mayor. Reports suggest she has closely mentored and befriended him for nearly ten years, shaping his far-left stance, especially regarding Israel.
Mamdani has a history of making bold, leftist promises. Interestingly, his first foray into politics was a failed high school student government run with a campaign called “Fresh Juice for All.”
Sarsour, a Palestinian-American who has previously expressed support for Hamas, is noted to have greatly impacted Mamdani’s political approach, as highlighted by a foreign intelligence report accessed by The Post.
The report claims that Mamdani’s campaign is intertwined with networks of Islamist and extremist organizations, including the controversial Brooklyn Imam Shirazi Wahhaj, who was linked to the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and has previously endorsed “jihad” in New York City.
It further states that Mamdani, due to his dependence on Sarsour and her association with Wahhaj, is positioned within an ideological continuum that connects radical teachings to the political dynamics in New York City.
Sarah Forman, executive director of the pro-Israel New York Solidarity Network, described Sarsour as a key figure who normalizes anti-Israel sentiment in public discourse. She noted that much of Mamdani’s current rhetoric about Israel would have been unacceptable in New York politics prior to now.
According to Forman, “Linda Sarsour is an absolutist who is dedicated to destroying the State of Israel.” She emphasized that Mamdani’s socialism is closely linked to Sarsour’s ideology and reflects her long-standing efforts to undermine Israel’s legitimacy.
Before joining Sarsour’s New York Muslim Democratic Club in 2017, Mamdani was relatively unknown in the New York political landscape. The duo has worked in supporting other leftist candidates, and Sarsour played a pivotal role in Mamdani’s successful bid for the New York state House seat in 2020.
Following his primary victory, Sarsour expressed her pride and emotional support for his work on social media, even describing Mamdani as “very dear” to her.
Consultant Hank Sheinkoff remarked that if Mamdani were to become mayor, it could lead to the exclusion of significant Jewish American interests from City Hall. He claimed that Sarsour’s influence would likely be substantial within his administration.
Inna Vernikov, a Brooklyn City Council member, criticized Mamdani as emblematic of the radical left’s and radical Islamists’ rise, asserting that Sarsour has nurtured his political ambitions.
She recounted how Sarsour appointed Mamdani to a board position in the Muslim Democratic Club of New York, which includes individuals previously connected to CAIR and ICNA, organizations scrutinized for Hamas links.
Further back, Sarsour had publicly rejected the idea of treating Israelis as human beings, labeling them as enemies during a 2018 conference. Her controversial history also involves her expulsion from the Women’s March leadership due to her connections with anti-Semitic figures.
Throughout her activism, she has remained a vocal supporter of Wahhaj and has been involved with the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement. Recently, she has been actively campaigning for Mamdani, seeking financial contributions for his campaign and urging her followers to support him as well.
“Linda Sarsour played the long game. Zoran Mamdani may claim disinterest in foreign policy, but his gestures towards Israel reflect Sarsour’s broader ideology,” Forman suggested.
