Jeffries' Endorsement of Mamdani Sparks New Controversy

Zohran Mamdani, a Queens assemblyman and frontrunner in New York City’s mayoral race, has drawn renewed scrutiny after a resurfaced 2023 video showed him blaming Israel and the IDF for police violence in New York and describing his long history of pro‑Palestinian activism. Those remarks alarmed Jewish leaders who warned such rhetoric could fuel anti‑Jewish hostility amid already high rates of hate crimes against Jews in the city. Mamdani has attracted high‑profile endorsements from House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Gov. Kathy Hochul, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders, and supporters emphasize his focus on affordability and representing all New Yorkers. Republicans have seized on the endorsements and the controversy, calling Mamdani a national liability and citing polls that show high name recognition but low favorability. Early voting is underway and the general election is set for Nov. 4, making the race a focal point in debates over the Democratic Party’s ideological direction.