Jewish voters have issues with Mayor Zohran Mamdani — with a majority of them saying they feel uneasy or even threatened by his and his allies’ Israel-bashing views, a new poll claims.
The survey by the Honan Strategy group asked: “Do you think Jewish voters in New York have reason to feel threatened by some of Zohran Mamdani’s statements and allies, or is that an overreaction fueled by politics?”
The response: 53% of Jewish voters said they feel threatened by his and his allies’ statements, while most non-Jews — 55% — say that’s an overreaction fueled by politics.
“There’s an unease Jewish voters have with Mamdani. There is a feeling of tension and concern,” said Bradley Honan, CEO and president of the Honan Strategy Group.
Among the other findings:
- 54% of Jews said Mamdani’s positions deepen division and tension, significantly higher than non-Jews.
- 51% of Jewish voters say his rise is a troubling sign that anti-semitism is becoming normalized in progressive politics, while 61% of non-Jews said his ascension is a sign of healthy debate and diversity of opinion.
- 69% of Jewish voters and 46% of non-Jewish voters say that it is inappropriate and dangerous for a mayor to intervene in foreign policy and that arresting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Bibi Netanyahu would harm New York’s global standing.
Mamdani vowed to arrest Netanyahu as a war criminal during his successful mayoral campaign.
- 71% of Jewish voters say that speaking out against Israeli military actions today is more likely to be viewed as anti-semitic, while 51% of non-Jews that speaking out is part of a legitimate policy debate.
- 61% of Jewish voters say progressive criticism of Israel has made antisemitism more acceptable in public life, compared to just 37% of non-Jewish voters.
- 63% of Jewish voters say the city needs leaders who stand firmly with the Jewish community and oppose rhetoric that risks normalizing antisemitism.
- Conversely, 53% of non-Jewish voters say that New York needs leaders who challenge U.S. support for Israel’s government, even if that upsets some voters, while only 32% of Jewish voters agreed.
Jewish voters were more split on other questions.
All voters were asked, “Some people say Zohran Mamdani’s criticism of Israel reflects legitimate policy disagreement; others say it crosses a line and fuels antisemitism. Which comes closer to your view?
Fifty three percent of non-Jewish and 47% of Jewish voters say that Mamdani’s criticism of Israel reflects legitimate policy disagreements, while 23% of non-Jews and 40% of Jews say that it crosses a line and fuels anti-semitism.
Mamdani, a democratic socialist and former state assemblyman, has been a staunch anti-Israel activist who supports the boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign against the Jewish state.
He’s the first city mayor in modern history who has been an opponent rather than a supporter of Israel.
The poll interviewed 848 voters from Dec. 4 to 12.
It has a margin of error of + or – 3.36 percentage points.
Of that total, 131 Jewish voters were interviewed.
The subset survey of Jewish voters has a margin of error + or – 8.56 percentage points.
Mamdani has pledged to aggressively confront antisemitism and all forms of bigotry as mayor.
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