Top Dem candidate in New York City has deep anti-Israel ties, alleges report
Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic mayoral candidate in New York City, has come under scrutiny for his deep ties to activism against Israel, according to a report by the anti-Semitic watchdog group Canary Mission. With the mayoral primary election looming, Canary Mission has issued a warning that supporting Mamdani could lead to \”anti-Israel chaos\” in NYC.
Mamdani, who has been endorsed by Sen. Bernie Sanders, is a prominent figure in New York City’s anti-Israel protest scene. The report by Canary Mission highlights Mamdani’s involvement in protests against Israel, particularly following a Hamas terror attack in 2023 that claimed the lives of 1,200 Israelis. Mamdani’s upbringing in a household of anti-Israel activists further underscores his long-standing ties to the cause.
Born in Kampala, Uganda, Mamdani is the son of Mahmood Mamdani and Mira Nair, both vocal critics of Israel. Mahmood Mamdani, a professor at Columbia University, is known for his Marxist views and anti-Israel stance. His course on “Settlers and Natives” promotes the idea of violence in anti-colonial struggles. Mamdani’s mother, Mira Nair, a filmmaker, recently joined a campaign to prevent Israeli actress Gal Gadot from attending the Oscars.
Both of Mamdani’s parents support the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement, which seeks to apply economic pressure on Israel for its treatment of Palestinians. Mamdani himself introduced legislation as a New York state assemblyman to crack down on nonprofits sending money to Israel.
The report by Canary Mission sheds light on Mamdani’s family background and his active participation in anti-Israel activism. Mamdani’s ties to prominent figures in the movement raise concerns about the potential impact of his candidacy on NYC’s relationship with Israel.
Despite the allegations, Mamdani’s office did not respond to requests for comment. As the mayoral primary approaches, voters will have to consider Mamdani’s history of anti-Israel activism and its implications for the city’s future.
