Mamdani vs. Cuomo
The Battle for New York’s Jewish Vote
The New York mayoral race erupted into a cultural showdown overnight as Democratic frontrunner Zohran Mamdani sought to reassure Jewish voters amid backlash, while Andrew Cuomo accused him of fueling antisemitic rhetoric. Over 650 rabbis have signed a warning letter against Mamdani.
The heated debate held overnight (Wednesday to Thursday) ahead of New York’s mayoral elections turned into a war of words over the city’s relationship with its Jewish community and the State of Israel.
Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani, leading in most polls, struck a conciliatory tone toward Jewish residents, while former Governor Andrew Cuomo, now running as an independent, launched a sharp attack, accusing Mamdani of tolerating antisemitic discourse.
Mamdani, the son of a Muslim father and Hindu mother and a rising figure in the Democratic Party’s progressive wing, insisted he is “committed to the safety of all New Yorkers, Jews, Muslims, and Christians alike.”
He added that “every child in New York should know Jewish history, the community’s contribution to city life, and the beauty of Jewish tradition.”
Just hours before the debate, Mamdani sent a Yiddish-language letter to ultra-Orthodox communities titled “A City of Peace and Justice,” calling for civic and cultural cooperation. But the gesture backfired: over 650 rabbis across the U.S. signed a warning letter, arguing that Mamdanī’s election “could endanger the safety and dignity of Jews across the state.”
In response, a liberal Jewish group, “Mensches for Mamdani,” issued a counter-letter supporting him, stating the candidate “opposes violence and is committed to the safety of the Jewish community,” claiming that opposition to him stems from “old fears and prejudices.”
Cuomo placed Jewish security at the heart of his campaign, accusing Mamdani of refusing to condemn the slogan “Globalize the Intifada” - which he said reflects “insensitivity toward rising antisemitic incidents in New York.”
“There’s real fear among New York’s Jews,” Cuomo warned. “The city needs a leader who defends every community, not one who excuses extremist rhetoric.”
Though U.S. commentators generally awarded Cuomo the edge in performance, polls still show Mamdani maintaining a narrow but steady lead.
For New York’s Jewish community, the implications are profound: a leading candidate forced to pledge public commitment to Jewish safety and education, but also a rise in tensions over identity, loyalty, and anti-Israel sentiment dividing Jewish neighborhoods across the city.
For anyone who hasn't been following his trajectory, what's clear is that the minute he takes office, all bets are on when it comes to his Jewish voters. For reasons no one can understand, many New York Jews refuse to see what he's really saying and insist on voting for him. Zohran as NY's next mayor means it will just be easier to launch antisemitic crimes on the streets, and Jews will be in more danger than ever before.