NYC mayoral candidate Mamdani declines to sign resolutions recognizing Israel, condemning Holocaust

New York State Assembly member Zohran Mamdani, one of the leading candidates in New York City’s mayoral race, has declined to sign onto resolutions recognizing Israel and condemning the Holocaust, Politico reports.

Mamdani is polling in second place ahead of next month’s Democratic Party mayoral primary. The vote will likely determine the city’s next mayor in the mostly Democratic city. The general election is in November.

Mamdani has drawn the ire of Jewish voters due to his harsh anti-Israel rhetoric, such as a statement condemning Israel on October 8, 2023, the day after the Hamas attack. His party, the Democratic Socialists of America, backed a widely criticized anti-Israel rally the same day and has made anti-Israel activism one of its central planks. Mamdani has said that, if elected mayor, he would have Netanyahu arrested if he visits New York City.

Mamdani declined to sign onto the state assembly resolution recognizing Israel this week and didn’t sign the resolution condemning the Holocaust several months ago, Politico reports. Only five lawmakers in the assembly of 150 did not sign at least one of the resolutions this year, the report says.

A Mamdani spokesperson tells Politico the candidate did not sign the Holocaust resolution due to his mayoral campaign, but does not know why Mamdani did not sign onto the resolution last year, before his mayoral campaign.

Mamdani objected to language in the Israel resolution, saying that Israel “continues to strive for peace” due to the actions of the Israeli government, his spokesperson says.

Candidates in the primary race have been vying for Jewish voters, including Mamadani, who takes fire from Jewish legislators for not signing the resolutions.

“When they say ‘he’s a very careful legislator,’ they mean not supporting a resolution to condemn the Holocaust was a calculated choice,” Jewish state assembly member Sam Berger says on X.