NEW YORK — Zohran Mamdani, the leading candidate in the New York City mayoral race, repeatedly accused Israel of genocide, highlighted his “meaningful” talks with Jewish New Yorkers and denounced the Hamas terrorist group in a debate on Thursday.
Mayoral candidates Mamdani, former New York governor Andrew Cuomo, and Republican Curtis Sliwa debated ahead of the November 4 election at a discussion that covered Jewish topics including Israel, antisemitism and street protests.
When asked about the Gaza war, Mamdani accused Israel of genocide three times within a few minutes.
Cuomo accused Mamdani of not being a democrat because Mamdani supported the “leave it blank” campaign against Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign to protest US support for Israel during the Gaza war.
“I said leave it blank in the presidential primary because primaries are a place to air dissent and, like many Americans, I was horrified by the Israeli genocide of Palestinians,” Mamdani said at the debate hosted by NBC 4 New York, Telemundo 47 (WNJU) and Politico.
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Asked about declining to call on Hamas to lay down its arms in an interview on Tuesday, Mamdani backtracked, saying, “Of course I believe that they should lay down their arms.”
“Calling for a ceasefire means ceasing fire, that means all parties have to cease fire and put down their weapons, and the reason that we call for that is not only for the end to the genocide but also unimpeded access of humanitarian aid,” he said.
“We also have to ensure that it addresses the conditions that preceded this, conditions like the occupation, the siege and apartheid and that is what I’m hopeful for,” he said.
Mamdani also attacked Cuomo for volunteering to join Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s legal defense team in international court “during the course of this genocide.”
Mamdani, who identifies as a democratic socialist, is a longtime anti-Israel campaigner who has made pro-Palestinian activism central to his politics. His views have split Jewish voters in New York, both winning supporters and alarming many Jews.
The pro-Israel Cuomo repeatedly attacked Mamdani for his anti-Israel positions, with both candidates mainly rehashing positions they have held throughout the campaign.
Mamdani sought to assuage Jewish New Yorkers who are concerned about issues including his past defense of the phrase “Globalize the intifada,” which he now says he would “discourage.”
“I have been so thankful for the opportunities I have had to sit with so many Jewish New Yorkers,” he said. “It’s in those conversations that I’ve learned that this phrase evokes many painful memories.”
Cuomo attacked Mamdani for not explicitly denouncing the phrase, and for Mamdani’s refusal to recognize Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state.
“I recognize Israel’s right to exist. I’ve said that I will not recognize any state’s right to exist with a system of hierarchy on the basis of race or religion,” Mamdani said.
Cuomo declined to call Mamdani antisemitic.
“There are many Jewish people who believe he’s antisemitic. I believe not condemning ‘Globalize the intifada,’ what he said about Hamas, I can see why they are inflamed,” Cuomo said.
“I have denounced Hamas again and again,” Mamdani said.
From left, independent candidate former New York governor Andrew Cuomo, Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa and Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani participate in a mayoral debate, October 16, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis, Pool)
Sliwa, the founder of the Guardian Angels crime prevention volunteer group, sought to tie Mamdani to the Crown Heights anti-Jewish riots in 1991. Sliwa said that then-mayor David Dinkins, who was also affiliated with democratic socialists, “abandoned the Jews for three days.”
“Jews don’t trust that you are going to be there for them when they are victims of antisemitic attacks,” Sliwa said.
The debate mainly focused on everyday issues like housing, transportation and affordability. There were no major moments that will likely have a major impact on the race.
Polls have shown that New York City Jewish voters, like other voters, are primarily motivated by bread-and-butter concerns, although Jewish issues are also factors in their voting choices. Mamdani has centered his campaign on affordability and housing.
New York City is home to the largest Jewish community outside Israel. Jews are targeted in hate crimes in the city far more than any other group, according to NYPD data.
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