Zohran Mamdani, a candidate for mayor with a democratic socialist platform, has faced accusations of promoting anti-Semitic sentiments. This stems from a claim he made that taxpayers were covering expenses for New York State Senators’ trips to Israel, which has been deemed misleading.
Jewish advocacy groups are expressing concerns that his statements target Jewish political influences and exploit taxpayer money at Israel’s expense.
Rory Rankman, a Queens councilman and senior adviser at the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights, stated that Mamdani’s actions pose significant risks to Jewish freedom in New York City.
The allegations gained traction after a video surfaced from Mamdani’s remarks during protests against Israel in May 2021. He claimed that certain officials were using taxpayer dollars for their trips to Israel, insinuating this during a Facebook post shortly before the Israel Day Parade in Manhattan.
Mamdani said, “They are paid in your taxes,” further asserting that these officials displayed solidarity at the parade, which raised eyebrows.
He advocated for the BDS movement—boycott, divestment, and sanctions—against Israel, suggesting that this was a response to the situation in Palestine.
However, Mark Trager, CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council in New York, clarified that these trips are funded through charitable contributions and labeled Mamdani’s claims as both unjust and deeply offensive. He criticized Mamdani’s approach in the mayoral race, referencing the divisiveness of his campaign.
Trager also recalled that many in the Jewish community are unsettled by Mamdani’s past associations, including a lengthy conversation with Hasan Piker, a figure known for his inflammatory remarks against Jews.
Rankman emphasized that Mamdani’s rhetoric, which he described as anti-Semitic under the guise of pro-Palestinian activism, combines hostility toward Jewish self-determination with his advocacy.
When asked on a podcast whether he considers Mamdani to be anti-Semitic, former Governor Andrew Cuomo refrained from a direct label, saying one must consider a person’s intentions. Still, he noted that Mamdani’s views on Israel appeared fundamentally antagonistic.
In recent polls, Mamdani is trailing Cuomo, but he remains competitive, particularly among voters younger than 45.
The Mamdani campaign did not directly respond to the accusations, but a spokesperson reiterated his commitment to combating anti-Semitism and promoting safety for all New Yorkers.
Last week, Mamdani faced criticism for not signing resolutions that recognized Israel and the Holocaust, prompting detractors to question his representation of New York’s substantial Jewish population. Nonetheless, he claimed to have supported a Holocaust resolution.
Support for Mamdani also comes from former congressional member Jamal Bowman, known for his critical stance on Israel.
Additionally, Mamdani’s father, Mahmoud Mamdani, has gone public with more extreme positions, once suggesting that the solution for Palestine involves dismantling the Jewish state entirely.
The primary election is set for June 24, with early voting starting on June 14.
