By Real News Hub Staff | May 24, 2025

NEW YORK – Democratic socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani has sparked controversy in his New York City mayoral campaign by declining to affirm Israel’s status as a Jewish state during a candidate forum, drawing sharp criticism from pro-Israel groups and support from progressive activists.

The exchange occurred Thursday evening during a mayoral debate hosted by the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, where Mamdani was directly asked whether he recognizes Israel as the Jewish state. The Queens assemblyman paused before responding that he supports “the right of all people to self-determination” but would not use the specific terminology.

“I believe in the fundamental human rights of all people, including Israelis and Palestinians,” Mamdani said. “I support peace, security, and dignity for everyone in the region, but I won’t use language that I believe excludes or marginalizes any group of people.”

The response immediately drew criticism from several Jewish advocacy organizations. Malcolm Hoenlein, executive vice chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, called Mamdani’s position “deeply troubling and out of step with mainstream Democratic values.”

“To refuse to acknowledge Israel as the Jewish state is to deny the fundamental basis of Israel’s existence and the Jewish people’s right to self-determination,” Hoenlein said in a statement released after the debate.

However, Mamdani’s stance received backing from progressive groups including Jewish Voice for Peace NYC and the Democratic Socialists of America’s New York chapter, which praised what they called his “principled position on Palestinian rights.”

The 32-year-old politician, who represents a diverse Queens district with significant Muslim and Arab populations, has previously been vocal about Palestinian rights and has criticized U.S. military aid to Israel. His campaign describes him as advocating for “justice and equality for all people.”

Other candidates at the forum, including current frontrunners in the race, affirmed Israel’s status as a Jewish state while also expressing support for a two-state solution. The contrasting responses highlighted the ongoing divisions within Democratic circles over Middle East policy.

Rabbi David Zwiebel of Agudath Israel of America said Mamdani’s refusal “raises serious questions about his ability to represent all New Yorkers, including the city’s substantial Jewish population.”

Mamdani’s campaign manager, Sarah Chen, defended the candidate’s position, stating that he “believes in human rights without qualification or exception” and accused critics of attempting to create a “purity test” for political candidates.

The controversy comes as New York City’s mayoral race has increasingly focused on foreign policy issues, unusual for a municipal election. The city’s diverse population includes significant Jewish, Muslim, and Arab communities with strong views on Middle East politics.

Political analysts note that Mamdani’s position could hurt his chances in a city where Jewish voters constitute a significant electoral bloc, particularly in certain neighborhoods. However, his supporters argue that his stance could energize progressive voters and younger demographics.

The debate also featured questions about antisemitism, hate crimes, and the city’s response to campus protests related to Middle East issues. All candidates condemned antisemitism and anti-Muslim bigotry, though they differed on specific policy approaches.

Mamdani trails in early polling but has been gaining momentum among progressive voters with his platform focused on affordable housing, criminal justice reform, and economic inequality.

The primary election is scheduled for June, with the general election in November. The race has attracted national attention as a potential bellwether for progressive politics in major American cities.

Representatives for other major candidates in the race declined to comment specifically on Mamdani’s remarks, though several campaigns indicated they would continue emphasizing their own positions on Middle East issues.

The Jewish Community Relations Council announced it would invite all candidates back for additional forums focused on domestic policy issues affecting New York’s Jewish communities.