Joy and controversy together as the first South Asian and Muslim-origin mayor wins
Nowshad Haider,New York, November 7:
According to an AP survey, about 3 in 10 Jewish voters supported Zohran Mamdani in the New York City mayoral election — the first South Asian and Muslim-origin progressive candidate in U.S. history. His victory has sparked both excitement and sharp debate within the Jewish community.
The conservative pro-Israel newspaper The Jewish Voice wrote that the city’s largest Jewish community is now “shaking with fear of exile.” Meanwhile, two top leaders of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations called Mamdani’s victory “a dark milestone.”
Jonathan Greenblatt, national director of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), commented that Mamdani had previously been associated with individuals who have a history of antisemitism. He said, “We are deeply concerned that these individuals and their ideas might influence his administration—at a time when Jewish citizens and institutions are facing growing harassment, vandalism, and violence.”
On the other hand, J Street president Jeremy Ben-Ami, representing a centrist pro-Israel organization, called such criticism “exaggerated and divisive.” He said, “The fear-mongering by some Jewish institutions and leaders surrounding Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani is harmful and creates unnecessary division in the city. Now is the time for constructive cooperation, not panic.”
Position on Israel-Gaza Conflict
During his campaign, Mamdani sharply criticized Israel’s military operations in Gaza, describing them as “genocide.” However, he publicly condemned Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack and welcomed Jewish supporters. He also rejected allegations that he had not taken a clear enough stance against antisemitism.
At his victory rally, Mamdani declared, “We will build a City Hall that stands firmly with Jewish New Yorkers and never hesitates to fight antisemitism.”
In his first post-election press conference, he reaffirmed that promise and presented plans to increase funding for hate crime prevention. In his words: “I take the issue of antisemitism extremely seriously.”
Campaign Strategy and Reactions
During the election, Andrew Cuomo attempted to turn the race into a referendum on Israel. But according to Democratic strategists, changing public opinion about the Gaza war backfired on Cuomo’s strategy.
Leaders of the Reform Judaism Movement, the largest branch of American Judaism, stated after Mamdani’s win:
“This was a deeply divisive campaign. Now we must focus on easing tensions, increasing dialogue, and walking the path of reconciliation.”
Amy Spitalnick, CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, said, “In this election, Jews were used as political footballs. It didn’t make any community safer; instead, it legitimized fear and distrust at both extremes.”
Progressive Jewish Organizations Celebrate
Progressive Jewish groups IfNotNow and Bend the Arc: Jewish Action expressed joy over Mamdani’s victory.
IfNotNow stated, “Throughout this campaign, some politicians and Jewish leaders weaponized antisemitism. We rejected that politics of fear.”
Jamie Beran, CEO of Bend the Arc, said, “We supported Zohran Mamdani because we know that a strong democracy is the safest place for Jews.”
Rabbi Zalman Friedman, a leader of the Chabad-Lubavitch community in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, said, “We are disappointed, but we hope he will make life better, not worse. We are a resilient and capable people; with God’s grace, we will endure this moment—and thrive.”
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, one of the most influential Jewish politicians in the U.S., said, “I’m not comfortable with some of Mamdani’s comments on Israel. But we’ve had good communication. I hope he will be a mayor who ensures the safety of all New Yorkers and works to bring people together.”
The Beginning of a New Chapter
Zohran Mamdani’s victory marks a new chapter in the future of progressive politics in the United States — one where people of different faiths, races, and identities are coming together to redefine leadership.
