Yedioth Ahronoth: Mamdani’s victory sounds alarm for Israel

Following Mamdani’s win, Israeli officials reacted sharply, and Israeli media outlets — including Yedioth Ahronoth — expressed alarm. The newspaper wrote in a cautionary report:

“The election of Zohran Mamdani as Mayor of New York is not a passing event; it is a sign of a growing movement that questions Israel’s legitimacy and its right to self-determination.”

Referring to New York’s history as the city that witnessed the 9/11 attacks and hosts the world’s largest Jewish community, Yedioth described the election of a Muslim figure with strongly critical views toward Israel as “unexpected.”

The paper continued: “This victory demonstrates that, with the growing influence of progressive Democrats who view Tel Aviv’s policies more critically, Israel no longer enjoys the same consensus within U.S. public opinion.”

Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, also commented on Mamdani’s election, saying: “This is a new reality and a unique case — we’re talking about a mayor who has repeatedly and firmly voiced his opposition to Israel and its army, and who never backed down from those positions throughout his campaign.”

He added bluntly: “We are certainly concerned about his election and the security of New York’s large Jewish community.”

Israeli commentators believe that Mamdani’s victory, given his criticism of Israeli policies and support for Palestinian rights, poses a challenge to the current and future status of New York’s Jewish community, and raises questions about the city’s relationship with Israel and its political and social trajectory.

Israeli Finance Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir also lashed out at Mamdani’s election, saying: “Zohran Mamdani’s victory is an eternal stain — an example of how antisemitism triumphs over common sense. Mamdani is a supporter of Hamas, an enemy of Israel, and an outspoken opponent of Jews.”

Earlier, Donald Trump, on his Truth Social platform, wrote regarding the election: “Any Jew who votes for Zohran Mamdani, the Democrats’ candidate, is nothing but a fool.”

More than 1.3 million Jews live in New York, forming the largest Jewish population outside Israel. According to polls, around 40% of New York’s Jewish voters intended to vote for Mamdani.

Young Jewish voters have been among his strongest supporters, and Mamdani has frequently spoken in synagogues, emphasizing his commitment to supporting New York’s Jewish community.

Following Mamdani’s victory, Amichai Chikli, Israel’s Minister for Diaspora Affairs, commented: “The election of Zohran Mamdani as Mayor of New York is not just an American event, but a global one. Israel itself was not necessarily the main factor in Jewish voters’ decision to support him.”