Zohran Mamdani’s nomination as the Democratic Party’s candidate for mayor of New York City has reignited sharp debates about the role of identity politics, anti-Israel sentiment, and the priorities of urban progressivism.
At 33, Mamdani is now a leading contender to become mayor of the United States’ most populous city, despite—or perhaps because of—his controversial record on issues ranging from Hamas and BDS to policing and race.
Born in Uganda to Indian parents, Mamdani immigrated to the United States as a child and became a naturalised citizen in 2018. His political ascent has been rapid: a relatively obscure state legislator from Queens until recently, Mamdani secured the mayoral nomination by defeating former governor Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary. His victory was propelled by a coalition of younger, progressive voters, many of whom are less inclined to view support for Israel as a litmus test.
A Shift in Political Norms
Mamdani’s past statements and actions have drawn scrutiny. He has publicly endorsed the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement and refused to condemn the slogan “globalise the intifada”—a phrase viewed by many Jewish leaders as inciting violence. In the immediate aftermath of the 7 October 2023 Hamas attacks, which resulted in the deaths and sexual assaults of hundreds of Israeli civilians, Mamdani posted on social media criticising Israeli “apartheid and occupation” rather than condemning the perpetrators.
In 2017, before entering politics, Mamdani released a rap track titled Salaam in which he expressed admiration for the “Holy Land Five”—individuals convicted in the United States of financing Hamas, a designated terrorist organisation. His defenders argue that these comments should be seen in the context of broader support for Palestinian rights. His critics, however, see them as evidence of a more disturbing alignment with radical, anti-Israel ideologies.
The Anti-Defamation League has labelled Mamdani’s rhetoric as “delegitimising,” and prominent Jewish figures have warned that his nomination could accelerate a breakdown in relations between the Democratic Party and the city’s Jewish communities. Rabbi Marc Schneier described Mamdani’s victory as an “existential threat” to Jewish life in New York.
Identitarian Strategy and Generational Realignment
Mamdani’s campaign has relied heavily on a platform of affordability, anti-police rhetoric, and racial justice. He has called for rent freezes, the defunding of police departments, and an overhaul of public education standards, including opposition to standardised testing on equity grounds. His broader political style draws on a familiar pattern of progressive identity politics: invoking systemic racism, white privilege, and colonial histories to explain domestic policy failings.
Strategically, Mamdani has also been adept at navigating different constituencies. Observers have noted his tendency to alter his speech patterns depending on his audience—speaking in a more stylised accent when addressing Muslim groups, for instance—mirroring a wider trend in performative progressive politics. This has led critics to accuse him of political inauthenticity.
Despite such criticism, Mamdani’s message appears to resonate with a significant segment of New York’s electorate, particularly younger and more progressive voters who have turned away from traditional party structures and pro-Israel positions. According to polling data from early 2025, 70% of Democrats now view Israel unfavourably—a significant increase from just three years earlier.
This generational shift is also visible within Jewish communities. While Orthodox and older Jews expressed alarm at Mamdani’s rise, many secular or younger Jewish voters backed him, prioritising local issues like housing and inequality over foreign policy concerns. As one voter told local media, “I care more about whether I can afford rent than about someone else’s diplomacy.”
Fallout and Future Prospects
The nomination has had ripple effects beyond Mamdani himself. Other progressive candidates with similar views, including Brooklyn Councilwoman Shahana Hanif, survived well-funded challenges from pro-Israel opponents. Meanwhile, Mamdani has sought to assure nervous voters, promising an 800% increase in anti-hate crime funding and the establishment of a new Department of Community Safety.
He has also made overtures to Orthodox Jewish communities, pledging to protect yeshivas and uphold their “way of life.” Nonetheless, his broader record and past statements continue to generate concern. Political strategist Hank Sheinkopf warned that Mamdani’s rise could prompt a “mass exodus” of religious Jews from the city, citing fears over cultural and political marginalisation.
Incumbent mayor Eric Adams, now running as an independent, has focused his re-election campaign on public safety and support for Israel, hoping to consolidate Orthodox and centrist voters disillusioned by the Democrats’ direction. Whether that strategy succeeds will depend on turnout and whether Mamdani’s coalition holds.
A Broader Trend
Mamdani’s success is being closely watched across the United States and beyond. It signals that identitarian progressivism—though increasingly criticised for its contradictions and perceived extremism—remains a potent force in urban politics. His critics argue that his campaign is emblematic of the broader shift within the left towards a form of activism that elevates ideology over governance, and symbolism over substance.
Whether or not Mamdani wins in November, his primary victory marks a turning point. In a city once governed by centrists and pragmatists, the Democratic Party has now placed its hopes in a candidate whose views, rhetoric, and methods represent a sharp departure from political convention. The implications for both New York and the national political landscape are significant.
