Mamdani’s Snub of Israel & Holocaust Resolutions Raises Eyebrows as NYC Mayoral Race Intensifies

By: Fern Sidman

As the 2025 New York City mayoral race heats up, State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani—a declared socialist and candidate aligned with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA)—is drawing criticism for refusing to support two symbolic but deeply meaningful legislative resolutions. According to a report on Friday in The New York Post, Mamdani notably skipped out on a recent resolution commemorating the 77th anniversary of the founding of Israel and had previously declined to sign onto another resolution denouncing the Holocaust.

In a city with the largest Jewish population outside of Israel, Mamdani’s choices are being closely scrutinized—not only for what they suggest about his political worldview, but for the message they send to Jewish New Yorkers at a time when antisemitism is surging nationwide.

The New York Post report emphasized that resolutions of this nature are typically non-controversial, ceremonial measures—symbolic gestures passed by the State Assembly to honor milestones, cultures, and communities. Each year, lawmakers co-sponsor hundreds of such items. Mamdani himself has signed on to 88 similar resolutions during his time in office. Yet when it came to recognizing the State of Israel and condemning the Holocaust, he chose to stand apart.

The first instance occurred last year, when Mamdani refused to support a resolution that reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to Holocaust remembrance. While other lawmakers from across the ideological spectrum joined the symbolic gesture, Mamdani’s silence was deafening.

This week, he again opted out—this time declining to co-sponsor a resolution celebrating Israel’s 77th Independence Day. According to the report in The New York Post, this rebuff of a long-standing ally of the United States—and the spiritual and ancestral homeland of millions of Jews—has stirred frustration among Jewish community leaders and political opponents alike.

What makes Mamdani’s position particularly striking is its timing. The city’s mayoral primary is entering a critical phase, with major contenders including former Governor Andrew Cuomo and current Mayor Eric Adams both actively courting the Jewish vote. Mamdani, by contrast, appears to be consolidating a base firmly grounded in anti-Israel sentiment and radical politics.

The DSA assemblyman’s posture is not entirely unexpected, given his record. Mamdani has long criticized Israel and its policies, describing the Jewish state as an “apartheid regime.” But by refusing even to sign a resolution condemning the Holocaust—a genocide that claimed the lives of six million Jews—Mamdani risks alienating a vital constituency in a city shaped by Jewish history and activism.

The New York Post report highlighted how Mamdani’s decision aligns him with controversial figures such as Jamaal Bowman, a former U.S. Representative who lost his seat following intense backlash over his vocal support for Palestinian causes and his criticism of Israel. Mamdani received Bowman’s endorsement just days before his refusal to back the Israel resolution made headlines.

Jewish leaders have expressed dismay at Mamdani’s conduct. One longtime community advocate, speaking to The New York Post on condition of anonymity, said, “This goes beyond foreign policy—it’s a question of moral clarity. If Mamdani can’t bring himself to acknowledge Israel’s right to exist or the horrors of the Holocaust, how can he represent a city that owes so much to its Jewish residents?”

Even among progressive circles, Mamdani’s abstentions have drawn unease. Political observers noted that while it’s one thing to debate Israeli policy—especially in the context of the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict—it’s quite another to reject symbolic gestures that acknowledge historical truths or celebrate cultural heritage.

By skipping these resolutions, Mamdani is also stepping outside the norm of standard legislative behavior. Just last month, the Assembly passed a resolution honoring Fort Drum when U.S. Army Reserve members visited Albany. Dozens of lawmakers signed on without controversy—highlighting how routine these resolutions are in recognizing groups and institutions that contribute to public life.

In the broader context of the mayoral race, Mamdani’s stance sets him apart from mainstream Democrats and could become a flashpoint in the weeks to come. With antisemitism on the rise and tensions escalating on campuses and in communities nationwide, political leaders are increasingly being asked to clarify their positions on issues related to Israel and Jewish life.

The New York Post report pointed out that both Cuomo and Adams have taken active steps to engage with the Jewish community and to combat antisemitism. Cuomo has highlighted his record of supporting Israel and Jewish institutions during his tenure as governor. Adams, meanwhile, has met with Jewish leaders and condemned recent antisemitic incidents across the five boroughs.

Whether Mamdani’s refusal to engage in these symbolic resolutions will hurt or help him remains to be seen. For some progressive voters, particularly those aligned with the DSA and vocal in their support for Palestinian causes, his stance may be viewed as principled. For others—especially centrist and Jewish voters—it may signal a disqualifying lack of empathy or awareness.

One thing is clear: As The New York Post report noted, Mamdani’s approach is out of step with the political consensus on both sides of the aisle. With a vote of 421-1 earlier this month in the U.S. House of Representatives reaffirming support for Jewish American Heritage Month and condemning antisemitism, it’s evident that even in a divided Congress, honoring Jewish contributions and history remains a unifying value.

Mamdani’s divergence from that consensus may define his candidacy—not just for the symbolic choices he has made, but for the communities he has chosen not to stand with.