New York needs a mayor for all 8 million residents, regardless of who they are. If a New Yorker cannot speak and act in defense of all New Yorkers, they are not fit to lead this city.
Such is the case with Queens Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani, who has demonstrated through deeds, not words, an unwillingness to stand with 1.3 million Jewish New Yorkers in a city with the largest Jewish population outside of Israel.
When he had the opportunity to sign on to an Assembly resolution honoring Israel on the 77th anniversary of her founding as a state, Mamdani refused to put his name to it. This is not surprising, given that he has previously supported the Boycott, Divest, Sanction (BDS) movement against Israel and has been an outspoken opponent of Israel’s war against Hamas terrorists in Gaza.
But when he had the opportunity to sign on to a separate Assembly resolution condemning the Holocaust — the systematic extermination of 6 million Jews and 6 million other persons of other backgrounds by Nazi Germany — Mamdani also refused to put his name to it.
The legislator offered a weak defense when news about his refusal to sign both resolutions came forth this past week. Mamdani alleged that he told his staff at the start of this year that “we would not co-sponsor any resolutions … and that has nothing to do with the substance of the resolution.” Absurdly, he claimed that he was nevertheless “proud to be a supporter of that resolution,” which he neither signed nor co-sponsored.
Just five members of the 150-person Assembly did not sign at least one of the two resolutions honoring Israel’s anniversary and condemning the Holocaust. Mamdani refused to sign both. That speaks volumes, in our view, as to where he stands.
He can say what he professes to believe into any microphone he wants, but his actions (or inactions, in this case) speak much louder.
Jewish New Yorkers voting in this year’s Democratic primary have faced a wave of antisemitism since Oct. 7, 2023. They rightly wonder whether the candidates on the ballot will support them in this hour of need, and reassure their right to exist in peace in this city and around the world.
In refusing to sign either resolution this year, Mamdani sent a damning message to Jewish New Yorkers in this election year: He doesn’t have their back.
If an elected official cannot offer the simplest yet most important gestures to support Israel’s right to exist and denounce the horrors of the Holocaust in writing and with a vote on the floor, then they are not qualified to lead the City of New York and serve as our representative to the world.
