Rabid antisemitic Zohran Mamdani wins Democratic primary for NYC Mayor
Andrew Cuomo concedes defeat warning that New York City now faces a dangerous and uncertain future; Community leaders fear his rise could fuel antisemitism and fracture city unity.
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In a stunning political upset, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has conceded defeat in the Democratic primary for New York City mayor to State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old democratic socialist whose pro-Palestinian, anti-Semitic views and controversial past statements are already fueling national debate.
Cuomo, 67, had launched a high-profile political comeback after resigning in 2021 amid a sexual harassment scandal. Despite his experience and longstanding support among centrist Democrats, he was unable to overcome Mamdani’s energized progressive base. In a speech to supporters, Cuomo acknowledged the defeat, saying, “Tonight is his night,” and adding, “We are going to take a look and make some decisions.”
Mamdani’s win makes him the first Muslim and Indian American ever to be poised to lead America’s largest city. Born in Uganda and raised in a Shiite Muslim household, Mamdani began his political activism at Bowdoin College, where he founded “Students for Justice in Palestine.” His advocacy on Palestinian issues continued into his legislative career, where he supported boycotts against Israel and co-sponsored a failed bill aimed at preventing U.S. charitable funds from reaching Israeli settlements.
If elected in November, which is likely, given New York City’s liberal lean, Mamdani would usher in a sharp political pivot from Cuomo’s centrist and strongly pro-Israel stance. Cuomo had vowed to make Israel his first diplomatic visit if elected and emphasized unwavering support for the Jewish state. Mamdani, in contrast, has refused to recognize Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state, labeled its actions in Gaza “genocide,” and said he would block Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from entering New York City on grounds of “international law.”
Mamdani has also come under fire for his refusal to condemn calls to “spread the intifada around the world”, a slogan widely linked to anti-Jewish violence. During a recent appearance on The Bulwark podcast, he attempted to justify the phrase by referencing the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising and the American Holocaust Museum, drawing harsh backlash from Jewish leaders and Holocaust survivors. The museum issued a rare rebuke, calling his remarks “outrageous and particularly harmful,” and noting that “since 1987, Jews have been attacked and murdered under this slogan.”