In a recent poll, fewer than one-third of Jewish voters in New York City expressed approval of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s performance, with many attributing a rise in antisemitism to his and his colleagues’ endorsement of anti-Zionism. This sentiment has been captured by The Jewish Majority’s survey, which was shared exclusively with The Post.
The poll reveals that 40% of those Jewish voters who participated in last year’s mayoral election believe Mamdani is performing poorly in his role. Meanwhile, 32% consider his work to be “excellent” or “good,” 18% rate his performance as “fair,” and the remainder remain undecided.
Concerns about antisemitism are widespread, with 82% of Jewish voters expressing significant worry over its increase. Notably, this figure includes two-thirds of the voters who initially supported Mamdani. Among those concerned, a substantial 73% link this uptick in antisemitism to the actions of Mamdani and other public figures who they believe have normalized anti-Zionism, thus making it more publicly acceptable.
Jonathan Schulman, executive director of The Jewish Majority, noted to The Post, “This data validates something felt in the Jewish community for a long time: a sense that antisemitism is really spiraling out of control.” He emphasized the strong connection many feel between this surge and the normalization of anti-Zionist rhetoric, suggesting a critical moment of awareness and reflection for the community.
Statistics from the NYPD underscore the community’s concerns, with 143 reported hate crimes from January through March—a 11.7% rise compared to the same timeframe last year. Of these incidents, 78, or 55%, specifically targeted Jews, featuring both acts of violence and vandalism such as swastikas painted on walls.
There were 143 reported hate crimes in NYC from January through March — a 11.7% increase from the same period last year. Seventy-eight — or 55% — of them targeted Jews and included acts of violence and swastikas scrawled on walls, according to the NYPD.
The poll — conducted Feb. 17-28 — surveyed 665 Jewish voters from all political parties who cast votes in the mayoral election, including 174 who voted for Mamdani. Other findings:
- Sixty-one percent of Jewish voters believe Mamdani’s refusal to condemn the phrase “globalize the intifada” has emboldened pro-Hamas protestors, 19% disagree and the rest are undecided.
- Eighty-four percent of Jews who voted for Mamdani support a two-state solution in Gaza if it resolves the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Mamdani has repeatedly skirted the two-state-solution question but has said he doesn’t think Israel should exist as a Jewish state.
- Eighty-four percent also support legislation approved in March by the City Council allowing the NYPD to set up buffer zones around synagogues and other houses of worship. Council Speaker Julie Menin championed the bill in response to anti-Israel protesters swarming local synagogues — despite fierce opposition from Mamdani and other socialists.
Mamdani captured only 31% of the Jewish vote during November’s general election, but he fared better with Jewish voters ages 18 to 29, securing 44% of their support, according to exit polls.
The mayor supports the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement against the Jewish state, has accused Israelis of committing genocide in Gaza, and associates with notorious, Israel-hating left-wing radicals such as Hasan Piker and Linda Sarsour.
Mamdani’s wife, Rama Duwaji, has also come under fire for recently resurfaced social media posts she liked, praising Palestinian militants’ attacks against Israel and claiming Hamas’ rapes of Israelis during the Oct. 7, 2023 terror attack were a “mass hoax.”
“I think that such a large percentage of Jews in New York City didn’t support the Democratic candidate is unprecedented,” noted Schulman. “While [Mamdani] makes the comment constantly ‘I’m the mayor for all New Yorkers,’ unfortunately, Jewish New Yorkers don’t seem convinced that’s the case.”
Phylisa Wisdom, executive director of the Mayor’s Office to Combat Antisemitism, defended Hizzoner’s record with the Jewish community.
“Since taking office, Mayor Mamdani has made it a priority to consistently show up for and build relationships across New York City’s Jewish communities — listening to a diverse array of Jewish voices, celebrating holidays, and engaging with the full richness of Jewish life across neighborhoods and traditions,” she said.
“He also shares the concerns many Jewish New Yorkers have about the rise of antisemitism. That is why every day, we are working to protect and support Jewish New Yorkers— including developing the nation’s first municipal-level plan to combat antisemitism.”
