Jewish Democrats in Congress are expressing growing concern following the Democratic primary victory of Zohran Mamdani in the New York City mayoral race, citing his outspoken anti-Israel views and support for the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement. The win has sparked unease among lawmakers, especially amid a national rise in antisemitic incidents.
Mamdani, a New York State Assembly member and Democratic Socialist, emerged victorious in a ranked-choice primary, defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo with 56% of the vote. Despite backlash over his refusal to condemn the controversial slogan “globalize the intifada” — a phrase critics say promotes violence against Jews — Mamdani’s message on affordability and housing resonated with voters across the five boroughs.
Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a former chair of the Democratic National Committee, called Mamdani’s stance “deeply disturbing” and “potentially dangerous.”
“To not be willing to condemn the term ‘globalize the intifada,’ it just demonstrates his callous disregard for antisemitism, terrorist activity,” Wasserman Schultz told The Hill. “Anyone that I care about couldn’t possibly distance themselves from him more.”
Rep. Greg Landsman of Ohio, who is Jewish, called Mamdani’s win “a huge problem,” particularly given recent violent antisemitic attacks in the U.S. “This is happening in the context of a violent surge in antisemitism,” he said.
Other Jewish Democrats echoed those concerns. Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) and Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) criticized Mamdani for not clearly denouncing antisemitic rhetoric. “If he can’t say that ‘globalize the intifada’ is antisemitic, then obviously he’s going to continue to add to the problem,” Moskowitz said.
Despite the controversy, some Democratic leaders have taken a more cautious stance. House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Jerry Nadler, a senior Jewish Democrat from Manhattan, endorsed Mamdani after the primary. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer congratulated Mamdani but has not issued an endorsement. Others, like New York Reps. Dan Goldman, Laura Gillen, and Tom Suozzi, have either withheld support or distanced themselves.
Goldman, who met with Mamdani after the primary, emphasized the need for reassurance to Jewish New Yorkers. “He must not only condemn anti-Jewish hate and calls for violence, but make clear that as Mayor he would take proactive steps to protect all New Yorkers,” Goldman said in a statement.
Mamdani has insisted that he condemns all forms of antisemitism and has pledged to increase the city’s budget for combating hate crimes from $3 million to $26 million. “There’s no room for antisemitism in this city and this country,” he said during the campaign. “It pains me to be painted as someone in opposition to the very Jewish New Yorkers that I know and love.”
His campaign has not yet responded to the latest statements from House Democrats. Meanwhile, Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, have seized on Mamdani’s win, labeling him a “communist” and tying his policies to national Democrats ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
