Mamdani’s New York win raises concern in Israel
Israelis across political lines worry his victory could signal cooler relations between the US and Israel
The election of Zohran Mamdani as New York City's mayor has alarmed many in Israel, officials and analysts said Friday. Mamdani, known for his pro-Palestinian views, won in a city with the world's second-largest Jewish population.
Israelis across political lines worry his victory could signal cooler relations between the US and Israel. Nearly one-third of Jewish voters supported Mamdani, adding to concerns.
Mamdani, 34, focused on local issues like housing and child care during his campaign. But in Israel, his pro-Palestinian stance drew most attention. He has called the Gaza war a genocide and has criticized policies favoring Jews over others.
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Israeli officials and analysts sharply condemned Mamdani, labeling him anti-Israel. Still, he won about 30% of the Jewish vote and has pledged to fight antisemitism while maintaining ties with Jewish leaders.
Some Israelis fear his control of New York's police could affect the city's Jewish community. Israel's ambassador to the UN and diaspora minister expressed concern on social media, while the prime minister's office emphasized the US-Israel relationship remains strong.
Meanwhile, Palestinians in the West Bank welcomed Mamdani's win. They said it reflects growing awareness of the Palestinian issue among younger voters, including young Jewish Americans.
Mamdani's election highlights a potential shift in US domestic politics, showing younger voters may be less uniformly pro-Israel than previous generations.
