By Jerry Ginsberg
Zohran Mamdani’s victory in the New York City Democratic Mayoral Primary has upset the top 1% donor class in their unsuccessful bid with disgraced Governor Cuomo. They attempted to run a campaign fueled by bigotry and fear-mongering distorting Mamdani’s past statements as evidence for anti-semitism. These “claims of anti-semitism” are connected to his Muslim background and his advocacy for Palestinians rights.
As the campaign continues to the general election, the slanders against Mamdani are proving to be ineffective. While the billionaire class struggles to find a narrative to sell to the masses, Mamdani has coalesced a diverse movement that is progressive and worker oriented. This coalition is exemplified by the cross endorsement between New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, the city’s highest-ranking elected Jewish official, and Mamdani, a Muslim.
Mamdani has endorsed Palestinian rights as Netanyahu’s Israeli government is committing genocide in Gaza. Lander said, “. . . I believe in [Zohran’s] integrity, commitment to justice, and his work for our city. And I know that Jewish New Yorkers will be safe in a city where Zohran is in leadership.”
Mamdani has stated that he is for a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine. As mayor, Mamdani has pledged he will work with the Jewish community. Mamdani released a detailed plan to counter anti-semitism, which includes the creation of a Department of Community Safety and a commitment to increase funding for anti-hate crime programming by 800%. “Every New Yorker deserves to be safe. Every New Yorker needs to be protected.”
As Mayor, Mamdani would only tax the rich in order to pay for the funding of such programs that would help protect the Jewish community against anti-semitism. His coalition does not need to resort to fake platitudes to Israel like what his opponents have opportunistically used because unlike his opponents, establishment Democrats and Republicans, he does not need Big Business’s dollars to fund his people-power campaign that has amassed over 45,000 volunteers and 545,000 votes, the most since David Dinkins in 1989.
Donald Trump used forms of bigotry and hatred to create fear of immigrants while Biden and Haris did not give a cohesive message on Palestine and Gaza. Spotlight the promising relationship between two New Yorkers, one Jewish and one Muslim. This message is one of solidarity among working people regardless of race, creed or gender. The best of the American experience expresses diversity while fighting against tyranny and corruption.