NYC mayoral candidate Mamdani again refuses to acknowledge Israel’s existence as a Jewish state

New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani refuses to acknowledge Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state.

Mamdani is polling in second place ahead of this month’s Democratic party primary that will likely decide the winner of the November election in the mostly Democratic US city.

Mamdani, a state assembly member from Queens, is a longtime pro-Palestinian activist and is harshly critical of Israel. His views on Israel’s right to exist have come under scrutiny in recent weeks. He has previously identified as an anti-Zionist.

CNN reports that a Mamdani aide recently attempted to stop an interview when the candidate was pressed to clarify his view on Israel.

Asked multiple times if he believes Israel should exist as a Jewish state, Mamdani said he believes that “Israel has a right to exist as a state with equal rights.”

Mamdani has voiced a variation of the same line before.

After he affirmed Israel’s right to exist last month while under pressure, without mentioning Israel’s Jewish character, he came under fire from anti-Israel activists.

Mamdani is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, a far-left group that has made anti-Israel activism one of its party planks.

Mayoral candidates, including frontrunner Andrew Cuomo, have been battling for Jewish votes ahead of the June 24 primary. Jews make up about 16% of the primary electorate.