10 Questions for Jews Who Voted for Mamdani

Diaspora Jews today face an existential crisis. The daily attacks on our Jewish identity and our support of Israel are scary and bewildering.  Most Jews would argue that support of Israel is part of their identity and cannot be separated from their Jewishness.

Yet, almost every day, we encounter reports of antisemitic violence, terrorist attacks against Israel and questions by intellectuals and some “not-so-intellectuals” about whether Israel has a right to exist or not.

It’s clearly a tough time to be a Jew.  Daily, we are reminded way too many people hate Jews; and that hate is taxing to our souls.

One of the worst moments for Jews – especially in New York and in America – was the recent election of Zohran Mamdani as Mayor of New York City in November.

Simply put, Mamdani is an antisemite and an anti-Zionist.  He is no friend of the Jews.  Yet, it’s estimated that 33 percent of Jewish voters chose Mamdani.  That’s approximately 66,000 New York City Jews voting for a decidedly antisemitic and anti-Israel candidate.

It begs the question, “Why Did So Many Jewish Voters Vote for Mamdani?”

To put a fine point on why Jewish voters made that fateful decision, I offer ten questions for Jews who voted for Mamdani.

Ten Simple Questions for Jews Who Voted for Mamdani.

1) Does it bother you that…Mamdani, when asked to comment about the Park East Synagogue protest, chastised the synagogue, saying through his spokesperson ‘these sacred spaces should not be used to promote activities in violation of international law.”  So, I guess freedom of speech is only allowed in certain spaces that the mayor-elect – or should I say “U.N. Secretary General?”– deems suitable.

2)  Does it bother you that…Mamdani equivocates when asked if Israel has a right to exist as a Jewish state?  When asked, he admits Israel has a right to exist but throws in caveats about international law; clearly showing he can’t simply admit Israel has a right to exist as a Jewish state.

3)  Does it bother you that…Mamdani has called the Palestinian cause “central to my identity.”  It is unclear whether the new Mayor also was implying the Hamas massacre on October 7 also is central to his identity,

4)  Does it bother you that….Mamdani has said the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) effort “is a legitimate movement.” Just for clarity, the Mayor of New York, a global symbol of America, which has the largest Jewish population of any city in the United States, thinks an attempt to destroy long-time U.S. ally Israel through an economic, academic and cultural boycott, is acceptable and a worthy goal.

5)  Does it bother you that…Mamdani said “We have to make clear that when the boot of the NYPD is on your neck, it’s been laced by the IDF.” So, Israel controls New York police and any policing which is considered unfair or dangerous to people…is the fault of Israel. These sound like “tin-foil hat” conspiracy rantings?

6)  Does it bother you that…Mamdani refused to sign-on to a recent New York State Assembly resolution that would have memorialized the Holocaust? Is Holocaust-denial now on the City’s agenda?

7)  Does it bother you that…Mamdani has promised to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he comes to New York? Funny, I have not read anything about his promise to arrest Hamas leaders if they were somehow able to visit New York.

8)  Does it bother you that – as a candidate – Mamdani appeared on Hasan Piker’s livestream? Piker, who has referred to Jews as “inbred” also called a viewer who condemned the October 7^th massacre a “blood thirsty dog.” It was Aesop who wrote “A man is known by the company he keeps.”

9)  Does it bother you that…Mamdani previously introduced to the New York Assembly the “Not on Our Dime” act which would have banned Israeli charities from supporting the Israel military or Israeli settlement activity? One wonders why Myanmar, China, Syria and many other countries were not included in the bill. Why is it always the Jews who are the only “bad actors” in Mamdani’s eyes?

10)  Does it bother you that…Mamdani’s election means rabid antisemites can be elected leaders of our biggest cities? His election normalizes his passion for hating Israel and being enthusiastically antisemitic.

American poet James Whitcomb Riley (1849-1916), credited with inventing “the duck test,” wrote “When I see a bird that walks like a duck and swims like a duck and quacks like a duck, I call that bird a duck.”  Zohran Mamdani is an anti-Zionist “duck.”  To make it really simple, he is an unadulterated antisemitic “duck.”

He may be charismatic.  He may be a politician who appeals to the young and is considered a breath of “fresh air” for New Yorkers.  But he is decidedly not a supporter of Israel and Judaism.  He is an antisemite and an anti-Zionist.

Mamdani has never shied away from his antisemitic and anti-Israel statements and actions.  He warned you who he was.  Yet something like 30 percent of voting Jews in New York City chose him.  I would offer “let the buyer beware”…but it’s a little late for that.

Know Mamdani is a hater and you helped elect him.

He is definitely NOT good for the Jews.

How could you?