Zohran Mamdani’s recent triumph in New York’s mayoral race may have disrupted what once seemed a straightforward political expectation: that candidates needed to show unwavering support for "Israel", The New York Times argued.

Across the city, several congressional challengers are testing the assumption that unwavering support for "Israel" is a political necessity, betting that Mamdani’s success as a vocal critic of its treatment of Palestinians reveals a growing vulnerability among pro-"Israel" incumbents.

Representative Adriano Espaillat, a Democrat representing Upper Manhattan and parts of the Bronx, is confronting a primary challenge from Darializa Avila Chevalier. Chevalier, who organized protests at Columbia University during the Israeli war on Gaza, has openly criticized Espaillat for backing arms sales to "Israel" and for accepting contributions from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).

Similarly, Representative Daniel Goldman, a Jewish Democrat serving parts of Brooklyn and Manhattan, appears likely to face a primary challenge. Councilwoman Alexa Avilés, a strident critic of "Israel", and Manhattan Comptroller Brad Lander, who has openly challenged Prime Minister Netanyahu’s policies, have both indicated interest in contesting his seat.

“There is no denying that US taxpayer dollars are undergirding what is happening: the utter destruction of Gaza,” Aviles said in an interview. “You can now run for even higher office, as mayor of New York City, and say these things head-on.”

Challenges in the Bronx

In the Bronx, Representative Ritchie Torres, another strong supporter of "Israel", is being challenged by Michael Blake, a former state assemblyman who seeks to appeal to voters critical of "Israel's" conduct.

“I will invest in the community,” Blake wrote on social media upon announcing his candidacy. “Ritchie invests in bombs.”

The mayoral results suggest a shift in the views of Jewish New Yorkers, who are increasingly divided over "Israel". While many remain ambivalent about Prime Minister Netanyahu, others continue to offer strong support, particularly in districts with dense Jewish populations.

Torres, who has received nearly $1.2 million from AIPAC’s fundraising arm since 2022, represents the nation’s poorest congressional district, which also includes wealthier areas like Riverdale and Spuyten Duyvil, home to large Orthodox Jewish communities. Goldman and Espaillat likewise represent districts with significant Jewish populations, according to the Jewish Electorate Institute. Goldman’s district additionally includes substantial Muslim immigrant communities, including many from Bangladesh.

Mamdani carried all three districts in November, securing over 52 percent of the vote in Torres’ area and more than 60 percent in Goldman’s and Espaillat’s districts. His appeal was fueled by a combination of affordability-focused policies and a remarkable ability to mobilize young voters.

44 percent of registered city voters sympathize more with Palestinians

Polling indicates that Mamdani’s Middle East stance resonates more broadly. Surveys by The New York Times and Siena University found that 44 percent of registered city voters sympathize more with Palestinians than with "Israel", while 26 percent favor "Israel". About 51 percent said criticism of "Israel" is not inherently antisemitic, a point Mamdani often emphasizes, alongside his stated commitment to protecting Jewish New Yorkers from "antisemitism".

Rabbi Jeremy Kalmanofsky of Congregation Ansche Chesed, a Conservative synagogue in Manhattan, reflected on the city’s changing political landscape. “2025 felt like the twilight of the 20th century when it came to the traditional racial and ethnic politics of New York City,” he said. He recalled that “non-Jewish politicians who have been great friends to the Jewish community understand our rootedness here in New York and our vulnerabilities.”

“I hope that people like Ritchie Torres and Hakeem Jeffries are not the last liberal friends of Israel and friends of the Jews to be elected to Congress,” Rabbi Kalmanofsky added, noting his opposition to Mamdani.

Lander, Aviles enter the fray

Brad Lander, who was a vocal critic of "Israel" during the mayoral primary, has tried to balance his opposition to Netanyahu with his Zionist beliefs, asserting that "Israel" should exist as a "Jewish state". As city comptroller, he opted not to repurchase matured Israeli government bonds in the city’s pension funds, which still hold approximately $300 million in Israeli assets.

Alexa Aviles opposes a recent plan by Lander’s successor, Mark Levine, to reinvest in Israeli bonds. She has also described Israeli actions in Gaza as genocidal and criticized AIPAC donations to Goldman. In a response to an endorsement questionnaire from the New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (NYC-DSA), Aviles wrote that the United States “needs to stop supporting colonialism, from San Juan to Gaza.”

Goldman, endorsed by the liberal pro-"Israel" group J Street, has criticized Netanyahu’s policies but remains a committed supporter of "Israel", accepting AIPAC’s donations and endorsement.

“Israel’s right to safely and securely exist as a Jewish, democratic state is fundamental to Dan’s relationship with his Jewish faith,” said Simone Kanter, a spokesperson for Goldman. “Asking Dan to renounce Israel because of its government’s indefensible actions is akin to asking him to renounce his faith.”

So far, Mamdani has not publicly endorsed any congressional challengers except Lander, whom he has encouraged to run against Goldman. Regarding Councilman Chi Ossé, who has announced a challenge to House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, Mamdani discouraged the D.S.A. from endorsing him, attending a recent meeting to argue against the support.

Ossé and congressional challenges

Chi Ossé, who aligns with Mamdani ideologically, including on "Israel", criticized Jeffries for accepting AIPAC contributions and supporting military aid for "Israel". Nevertheless, the D.S.A. electoral working group announced it would not back him in the Brooklyn district, a stance the broader organization is expected to adopt. Ossé stated he was “definitely not running for Congress without the support of NYC-DSA.”

Even as Ossé seemed to withdraw, other incumbents faced challenges. Adriano Espaillat and Representative Grace Meng, a Queens Democrat, were criticized by challengers for receiving donations from pro-"Israel" groups.

Chuck Park, a former Foreign Service officer challenging Meng, objected to her ties to AIPAC, accusing her of prioritizing “big checks and big donors rather than the needs of voters in Queens.” Matt Rey, Meng’s spokesperson, dismissed these attacks, calling Park an opportunist who overlooked her record of “delivering for immigrants, families and seniors.”

Michael Blake’s reversal on 'Israel'

Michael Blake, running against Torres after a 2020 defeat and a poor showing in this year’s mayoral primary, has dramatically shifted his stance on "Israel". Five years ago, he actively sought contributions from AIPAC board members, praising military aid to "Israel" and recounting trips he had taken there.

Adam Harris, an AIPAC spokesperson, said Blake’s “180-degree reversal” surprised the organization, given his prior pro-"Israel" engagement. Blake explained that his views evolved during "Israel"’s invasion of Gaza, which, before a recent ceasefire, killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and forcibly displaced many more.

“It’s no different than what we’ve seen in terms of people shifting as it relates to other conflicts, like the Iraq War,” Blake said, criticizing Torres for prioritizing "Israel" over his own district. Benny Stanislawski, a spokesperson for Torres, countered that the congressman has been “fighting to make sure the Bronx gets its fair share.”