New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani is facing sharp condemnation from senior Israeli officials, who this week labeled him a "Hamas supporter" and urged Jewish residents of the city to consider relocating to Israel. The remarks, which follow Mamdani's electoral victory, underscore escalating tensions surrounding U.S. political debates over Israel's war in Gaza and the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Amichai Chikli, Israel's Minister of Diaspora and Combating Antisemitism, issued the most direct denunciation in a statement posted to social media on Wednesday. "The city that once stood as a symbol of global freedom has handed over its keys to a Hamas supporter," Chikli wrote. He further claimed that Mamdani's politics were "not far from those of the militant fanatics who, 25 years ago, murdered three thousand of its own people," referencing the September 11, 2001 attacks.
Chikli then urged Jewish New Yorkers to consider emigrating. "I invite the Jews of New York to seriously consider making their new home in the Land of Israel," he said.
Mamdani, 34, is set to become the first Muslim mayor of New York when he takes office in January. A longtime supporter of Palestinian rights and a self-described socialist, Mamdani has criticized Israel as an "apartheid regime" and referred to the war in Gaza as a "genocide." He has also spoken publicly about experiencing Islamophobia, while condemning antisemitism in speeches and campaign events.
The criticism from Israeli ministers was echoed by other political figures. Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said in a statement, "Antisemitism has triumphed over common sense. Mamdani is a supporter of Hamas, an enemy of Israel, and an avowed antisemite." Avigdor Lieberman, leader of the Yisrael Beytenu party, wrote on X that "New York has chosen as its mayor a racist, a populist, and an avowed Shiite Islamist."
The campaign leading to Mamdani's victory saw vocal opposition from conservative commentators, business leaders, and U.S. President Donald Trump. The former president accused Mamdani of being a "Jew hater" in a last-minute message before Election Day.
Within New York's Jewish community, reactions have been split. The Associated Press reported that some Jewish organizations expressed alarm at Mamdani's rhetoric on Israel, while others urged dialogue over condemnation. Progressive Jewish groups including J Street and IfNotNow called for constructive engagement, while the Anti-Defamation League stated it would closely monitor Mamdani's administration.
Mamdani has pledged to focus his mayoralty on housing affordability, expanding social services, and reducing inequality across the city when he takes office in January.
