In Israel, Mamdani’s win in New York stirs alarm over shifting US attitudes

Israeli Concerns Mount as New York Elects Pro-Palestinian Mayor Mamdani

The election of Zohran Mamdani as New York City’s next mayor has triggered widespread concern across Israel, as the country grapples with the victory of a politician who campaigned on an explicitly pro-Palestinian platform rarely seen in American politics.

In a city home to the world’s second-largest Jewish population, Mamdani’s win has sparked fears among Israelis that relations with their strongest ally might be deteriorating. The anxiety was compounded by exit polls showing nearly one-third of Jewish voters supported the mayor-elect.

“Very bad,” said Jerusalem resident Hana Jaeger, reacting to the election outcome. “For the Jews, for Israel, for everyone, it’s very bad. What else can you say?”

While Mamdani’s campaign addressed numerous local economic challenges, including affordable housing and childcare, his stance on the Israel-Palestinian conflict has dominated Israeli discourse. His victory represents perhaps the most significant indication yet of shifting attitudes toward Israel among American voters, particularly younger Democrats, in the wake of the Gaza war that followed Hamas’ October 2023 attack.

Israeli government officials responded with strong condemnations, with some labeling the 34-year-old Muslim politician as antisemitic. Political analysts suggest these forceful reactions reveal genuine concern about changing political dynamics in America.

“Even where there is a huge concentration of Jewish power, Jewish money, Jewish cultural and political influence — even in this place, an American can be elected with a clear anti-Israeli label on his lapel,” wrote Shmuel Rosner, an analyst at the Jewish People Policy Institute. “What he did proves that standing up against Israel… can be politically profitable, or at least not harmful.”

New York has traditionally maintained close ties with Israel. The city attracts numerous Israeli tourists and politicians, features many kosher restaurants, and hosts an Israeli consulate that heavily emphasizes relations with the Jewish community. Hebrew is commonly heard throughout the city.

Throughout his campaign, Mamdani, a progressive state lawmaker, unsettled Israelis by rejecting the pro-Israel stance typically adopted by New York mayoral candidates. While acknowledging Israel’s right to exist, he has stated that any system favoring Jews over others contradicts his belief in universal human rights — a position many Israelis view as challenging their nation’s foundational purpose as a Jewish homeland established after the Holocaust.

Mamdani has characterized the Gaza war as genocide, a claim Israel’s government firmly denies. He’s threatened to arrest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should he visit New York and suggested he might sever ties with Israeli academic and industrial institutions over the conflict in Gaza.

These positions have prompted accusations of antisemitism from mainstream Jewish organizations and Israel supporters. Nevertheless, Mamdani has repeatedly pledged to combat antisemitism and built relationships with center-left Jewish leaders. According to AP Voter Polls, approximately 30% of Jewish voters supported him.

At his victory celebration, Mamdani emphasized, “We will build a City Hall that stands steadfast alongside Jewish New Yorkers and does not waver in the fight against the scourge of antisemitism.”

Israeli media coverage on Wednesday morning was dominated by concerns about Mamdani’s victory. Danny Danon, Israel’s UN ambassador, speculated that the “Jewish community’s sense of security” could be compromised under Mamdani’s leadership, particularly given his control over the city’s police department.

Amichai Chikli, Israel’s minister of diaspora affairs and a member of Netanyahu’s Likud party, posted numerous anti-Mamdani graphics on social media, including a retweeted image of the Twin Towers during the September 11 attacks captioned “New York already forgot.” Chikli also encouraged New York Jews to relocate to Israel, claiming, “The city that was once a symbol of global freedom has handed over its keys to a Hamas supporter.”

This extreme rhetoric reflects deep apprehension in Israel about shifting American political currents.

“For a long, long time, American domestic politics were dominated by pro-Israel politicians, pro-Israel views. In large part, they still are,” explained Mairav Zonszein, a senior analyst with the International Crisis Group. “Mamdani’s win represents that American Jews, specifically the younger generation, are changing and there’s no longer this monopoly of pro-Israel politics in domestic U.S. politics.”

Prime Minister Netanyahu has not directly addressed Mamdani’s election, though his office attempted to reassure Israelis about U.S.-Israel relations. “We have a bond that is stronger than ever between Israel and the United States right now,” government spokeswoman Shosh Bedrosian stated, emphasizing that the election results did not “undermine the incredible, enormous relationship the prime minister has with President Trump.”

Meanwhile, Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank expressed optimism about Mamdani’s victory. “The election of Mr. Mamdani is truly inspiring,” said Palestinian politician Mustafa Barghouti. “It reflects a great uprising among the younger generation of the United States, including the Jewish young generation, against political and social injustice. It also shows that the Palestinian issue has become an internal election issue all over the world, including in the United States of America.”