Israeli politicians fret after Mamdani's ‘deeply concerning’ NYC mayoral win

Responding to his victory, Israel’s deputy foreign minister, Sharren Haskel, said Mamdani’s election was “deeply concerning given his history of anti-Israel and anti-Jewish rhetoric”.

"New York’s Jewish community deserves leaders who protect them – not target them. Israel stands with our brothers and sisters in New York and will continue working with community leaders to ensure their safety and dignity."

Likewise, Heritage Minister Amichay Eliyahu attacked Mamdani’s Jewish supporters, labelling them “Jews who hate Jews” who had “raised their hands in support of antisemitism in the heart of America”.

And far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir added: “The election of Zohran Mamdani as mayor of New York will be remembered forever as a moment when antisemitism triumphed over common sense.”

Diaspora Minister Amichai Chikli went further still, accusing the mayor-elect, apparently without evidence, of being a “Hamas supporter” and calling on New York’s Jewish community to flee to Israel to avoid his administration.

Mamdani, however, in his victory speech, pledged to "never waver" in the fight against Jew-hate in his own address.

"We will build a city hill that stands steadfast alongside Jewish New Yorkers and does not waver in the fight against the scourge of antisemitism," he told supporters.

He also hit out at anti-Muslim sentiment, adding: "Where the more than one million Muslims know that they belong – not just in the five boroughs of this city, but in the halls of power. No more will New York be a city where you can traffic in Islamophobia and win an election."