Mamdani woo’s NYC Jewish Voters…

It’s gonna be a HARD Sell…..

Mamdani is both a prominent and unapologetic critic of Israel as well as the front-runner to be the next mayor of New York, home to the largest Jewish population outside of Israel. Ever since his stunning victory in June’s Democratic primary, Mamdani has built alliances with politically liberal Jewish officials while meeting with and listening to some of his most strident critics.

Among some Jewish New Yorkers already on edge from the spike in antisemitism and attacks in recent years, fears highlighted by a deadly attack Thursday on a British synagogue, some of Mamdani’s positions and perceived lack of sensitivity to their concerns have bred suspicion and anxiety.

Those feelings cut across lines of age, religiosity and geography, even among otherwise committed progressive voters, and persist even as he has emphasized his commitment to fighting antisemitism. Facing pressure and persistent media questions, Mamdani has condemned Hamas and discouraged use of the phrase “globalize the intifada.”

“Jewish New Yorkers are by no means a monolith, and Zohran has made clear that he’s eager to meet with every part of the Jewish community, whether they disagree with him or helped power him to victory in the primary,” said Jeffrey Lerner, a campaign spokesperson, in a statement to CNN….

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But one thing is consistent: There is a general skittishness even from left-leaning groups about publicly admitting they have hosted Mamdani. Some synagogues have welcomed him but have not wanted to publicize it. None of the mainstream Jewish organizations who met with Mamdani would disclose details about their meetings on the record.

Phylisa Wisdom, executive director of the New York Jewish Agenda, a nonpartisan advocacy organization that has met with Mamdani, said there is no “single Jewish feeling about this candidate.”…

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Mamdani, a Muslim who was born in Uganda to parents of Indian origin, has called Israel’s offensive a genocide and said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces a warrant from the International Criminal Court, should be arrested.

Democrats and younger Americans across the political spectrum have grown more negative toward the Jewish state, even as support for Israel remains key for many Jewish voters….

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Cuomo has long aligned himself with pro-Israel groups. Last year Cuomo said he was joining a legal defense team for Netanyahu. During the primary, Cuomo was critical of Mamdani’s support for the BDS movement, pressing him multiple times during a primary debate about whether Israel should exist as a Jewish state. Mamdani has said Israel should provide equal rights to all residents.

But Cuomo himself has pivoted since losing the primary, calling for an end to the war in Gaza while continuing to accuse Mamdani of fueling antisemitism.

“I think this whole thing speaks more about the psychology of the American Jewry and their organizations right now than (Mamdani),” said a board member of a prominent national organization that does not endorse in local elections but recently met with Mamdani. “His position is a winning one and it could be like a canary in a coal mine that this is going to play out even more in national politics, and it won’t be comfortable.”…

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Note….

Mamdani DOES have a NY City Police Security Detail…..

image…New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani attends service at Lab Shul, a non-denominational Jewish congregation, on Wednesday for Yom Kippur…..Gili Getz