Jewish New Yorkers congratulate Mamdani victory, shrug off 'antisemitism' fearmongering

Jewish New Yorkers have congratulated mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani on his stunning victory in the elections on Tuesday, despite fearmongering that under his leadership, Jewish New Yorkers would be forced to flee abroad.

Jews for Racial and Economic Justice, a group that campaigned for Mamdani, congratulated him on Instagram, saying, "Mazel Tov [Zohran Mamdani], Mazel Tov NYC".

Jewish Voice for Peace Action, the advocacy arm of Jewish Voice for Peace (JV),  which also campaigned for Mamdani, issued similar congratulations, saying "Mazel Tov! Mabrouk!".

"Movements just changed the course of history. Congratulations [Zohran Mamdani]. This win is for all of us. The fight continues – onward," the group added in its post on Instagram.

United Jewish Organizations of Williamsburg and North Brooklyn took to X to congratulate Mamdani, saying: "Wishing your success in leading our city to safety, affordability and prosperity - while ensuring our ability to lead our religious life without government interference."

The pouring in of congratulations comes after the ramping up of a pro-Israel campaign against Mamdani in the run-up to the election which saw his opponents equate his criticism of Israel to antisemitism.

In the final hours of the campaign on Tuesday, Israel's Consul General in New York, Ofir Akunis, warned on Israel's Army Radio that the potential for Mamdani's victory presented "a clear and immediate threat to Jewish institutions and synagogues," and that "a warning should be issued to all Jewish communities, not just some". 

US President Donald Trump also weighed in on the same day, saying on Truth Social, "Any Jewish person that votes for Zohran Mamdani, a proven and self professed JEW HATER, is a stupid person!!!".

Mamdani has vowed to combat hate crime and antisemitism in New York, including by setting up a Department of Community Safety focused on anti-hate programming.

He has however also been an outspoken critic of Israel's genocidal war in Gaza and Israeli and pro-Israel politicians have used this to claim that he poses a danger to the Jewish community and New York generally.

Representative Andy Ogles, posted a video of the 9/11 attacks on X on Tuesday, saying, "WAKE UP NEW YORK!".

Israeli Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli also referred to the 9/11 attacks while calling Mamdani "someone whose positions are not far from those jihadist fanatics".

He called on "the Jews of New York to seriously consider making their new home in the Land of Israel."

Far-right Israeli Knesset member and former minister Avigdor Liberman calling Mamdani a "poster boy for silent Jihad", claiming that his election was a "wake-up call for New York Jews who want to immigrate to where they belong – the Land of Israel".

Left-wing Hadash MK Ofer Cassif, however, congratulated Mamdani on his win, saying "this is a day of great hope for everyone in the world, not only in New York, everyone who supports and embraces liberty, equality… and justice for all of us."

Despite this, other Jewish groups in New York congratulated Mamdani's victory, with Torah Jews, an anti-Zionist Orthodox group, saying in a post on X, "NYC Jews are not going anywhere. We are not 'fleeing'. We are not in danger. We are here to stay in our beloved NYC."

"Congratulations Mr. Mamdani on an historic win! To all Zionists out there: Our sincere condolences," the group added.

In reaction to comments against Mamdani, JVP Action's Political Director, Beth Miller, told The New Arab that the group is fed up with the fearmongering coming from the Israeli government and Trump, saying that "New Yorkers want to turn the page on politics that rely on dividing and attacking our communities".

"Jewish New Yorkers were part of the broad and multiracial coalition that rejected racism and Islamophobia, and fought to elect a mayor who will fight with us for the humanity, dignity, and freedom of all people - no exceptions," Miller added.

They were joined by Behind the Arc, a progressive Jewish group, whose CEO Jamie Beran said in a statement that Mamdani's opponents used "smokescreen antisemitism" to divide the multicultural city, but that they had failed.

"We endorsed Zohran because we know what is possible when we work together to hold our multifaith, multiracial majority against attempts to break it and pave the way for undemocratic, minority rule," Beran said, adding, "Mazel tov to Zohran Mamdani!".

Other high-profile figures in the Jewish community in New York also congratulated Mamdani.

This included Jewish Congressman Daniel Goldman, who represents a district in New York, who said on X, "I look forward to working with him to improve the lives of all New Yorkers."

Executive Vice President at the Jewish Community Council of Williamsburg, Rabbi Moishe Indig, who endorsed Mamdani two days before the election, said "heartiest congratulations and Mazel Tov to New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani."

"We are proud to endorse you and look forward to your leadership, vision, and collaboration for the betterment of our community and all New Yorkers," he added.

According to a CNN exit poll, some 33 percent of Jewish New Yorkers who voted in the mayoral election voted for Mamdani, while 63 percent chose his main rival Andrew Cuomo and three percent voted for Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa.

Pro-Israel Jewish groups were more guarded in their reception of Mamdani.

In a joint statement, the United Jewish Appeal Federation of New York, Jewish Community Relations Council New York, New York Board of Rabbis, American Jewish Committee New York City, and Anti-Defamation League New York/New Jersey, said that they "cannot ignore that the Mayor-elect holds core beliefs fundamentally at odds with our community’s deepest convictions and most cherished values."

The statement added that "We will hold all elected officials, including Mayor-elect Mamdani, fully accountable for ensuring that New York remains a place where Jewish life and support for Israel are protected and can thrive."

Editor's Note: This article was updated on 6 November, 11:41 GMT, to include comments from JVP Action.