By: Hadassa Kalatizadeh

The Israel-Hamas war, which began with the savage surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7, has had ripple effects far across the ocean. In New York City, which has the largest Jewish population outside of Israel, residents have felt the war, with pro-Palestinian riots on the streets and on college campuses. They have felt a jump in anti-Semitism in many places and sought support from our local elected officials. NY Democrats have been divided in their support for Israel during these turbulent times—and that support will be a factor in the upcoming mayoral elections set for November 4, 2025.

As reported by the NY Times, NYC has already seen that pro-Israel groups can help make a difference in the ballot box. In June, the groups successfully pushed to defeat Squad member Representative Jamaal Bowman in a Democratic primary. The interest groups are now eyeing the upcoming mayoral elections, and next year’s Democratic primary which will choose a mayoral candidate for the party. Being that NY is a deeply Blue state, the Democratic candidate selected will be key. Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams will face off against several well-known politicians including New York City comptroller Brad Lander.

Mr. Lander is Jewish, but defines himself as a “progressive Zionist.” He has called for a cease-fire while expressing concern for Israeli hostages as well as Palestinians. Mr. Lander has ties to the Democratic Socialists of America, a liberal group which has harshly criticized Israel and has been pushing to cut all funding for Israel. Mr. Lander’s positions are particularly unpopular in the Orthodox Jewish community.

Per the NY Times, the orthodox community had supported Mayor Adams in his 2021 mayoral election, and helped seal his victory. Mr. Adams has continuously been a friend and supporter of Israel. He visited Israel last year, two months prior to the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks. The mayor also stepped up when pro-Palestinian encampments engulfed NY college campuses, deploying the police to end a student takeover of Hamilton Hall at Columbia University.

Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz, a senior rabbi of Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun in Manhattan who serves on the mayor’s charter commission, said that he felt Mr. Adams comforted the Jewish community after Oct. 7. He “let us know that he was our friend” while pledging to protect the community from anti-Semitic attacks, said Rabbi Steinmetz. “We look at all of the issues, and this issue is going to jump out at us, and candidates that perhaps don’t see this alliance as significant will be judged accordingly,” said Steinmetz, referring to the alliance between Israel and the U.S.

Michael Nussbaum, former president of the Queens Jewish Community Council and publisher of The Queens Daily Eagle, said he was “disturbed” by Mr. Lander’s dual alliance. “It’s incomprehensible to support the state of Israel while supporting the D.S.A.” said Mr. Nussbaum, who runs a pro-Israel political action committee.

For his part, Mr. Lander has expressed outrage at critics and groups who have questioned his ties to Judaism. Per the Times, he said in an interview that his faith was so predominant to his life that he seriously considered becoming a rabbi after college. “Coming at people’s identity — coming at people’s Jewish identity — is pretty rotten and pretty suspect,” he said in the interview, blaming Mr. Adams for the tactic. Mr. Lander is a member of Kolot Chayeinu, a progressive synagogue in Park Slope in Brooklyn, which called for a cease-fire just weeks after the Oct. 7 attacks.