NYC Mayor Election Results: Primary Victory of Mamdani Attributed to His Advocacy for Palestinian Rights and Criticism of Israel
In a surprising turn of events, Zohran Mamdani, a vocal advocate for Palestinian rights, has secured a decisive victory in the 2025 New York City Democratic mayoral primary. His stance, which aligns with a growing trend among Democratic voters, has been instrumental in mobilising progressive voters dissatisfied with traditional U.S. policy on Israel.
According to a July 2025 poll, 66% of NYC Democratic primary voters sympathise with Palestinians, contrasting with only 16% for Israel. Many voters support restricting weapons sales to Israel and penal actions against Israeli leaders. Mamdani's advocacy for Palestinian rights is part of his broader left-wing platform, energising a base frustrated with establishment politics and U.S. military support for Israel.
Mamdani's pro-Palestinian stance has attracted high-profile progressive supporters such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders. However, his views have also drawn criticism, with some linking him ideologically to radical anti-Zionist and socialist currents. Mamdani, however, frames his position as rooted in social justice and anti-oppression narratives rather than religious nationalism.
The Israel-Palestine conflict and Mamdani’s stance remain divisive; some centrist Democrats have withheld endorsements, reflecting tensions within the party on this issue. Despite this, Mamdani delivered a crushing defeat to former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the primary. Cuomo is now running as an independent candidate in the general election.
Mamdani's primary victory was driven by a surge in voter turnout from New Yorkers under 40. His willingness to criticise the Israeli government and support for pro-Palestinian protests was important to 88% of his primary voters, and 55% said it swayed their votes. Mamdani has faced heavy-handed criticism from some establishment Democrats for his comments on Israel and sympathy for pro-Palestinian protesters.
Mamdani has promised that, if elected mayor, he will freeze the rent on rent-stabilised apartments, build more housing, make buses free, and hike taxes on New York's richest. His plans to lower costs for New Yorkers and tax the rich swayed voters the most, according to a poll conducted to understand what drove Mamdani's primary voters to support him.
As Israel has ramped up its military actions in Gaza, Americans have grown in their disapproval of the war. A Gallup News poll published on Tuesday shows disapproval of the war in Gaza reaching a new high of 60% in the United States, with young Americans especially disapproving of Netanyahu and the war. Seventy-eight percent of those surveyed said they believe Israel is committing genocide against Palestinian people in Gaza.
Mayor Eric Adams, who is running for reelection as an independent, is supportive of Israel and is running on the "EndAntisemitism" party line. Mamdani has said that, as mayor, the city would arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he visited, citing the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant for Netanyahu that cites alleged war crimes. When asked about their views on Netanyahu, just 10% of respondents to the poll said they viewed him favourably.
In conclusion, Zohran Mamdani's pro-Palestinian stance has played a central role in mobilising progressive Democratic voters dissatisfied with traditional U.S. policy on Israel, helping him secure a decisive victory in the Democratic primary. His focus on lowering costs for New Yorkers and taxing the rich has also been instrumental in his success. The Israel-Palestine conflict and Mamdani’s stance remain divisive, but his victory underscores the growing influence of progressive voices within the Democratic party.
- Zohran Mamdani's victory in the 2025 New York City Democratic mayoral primary is linked to his pro-Palestinian stance, which aligns with a growing trend among Democratic voters dissatisfied with traditional U.S. policy on Israel.
- Mamdani's focus on social justice and anti-oppression narratives rather than religious nationalism sets him apart from critics who link him ideologically to radical anti-Zionist and socialist currents.
- In the sports and sports-betting world, Mamdani's triumph has no direct correlation, but his political platforms on topics such as affordable housing and taxes could potentially impact economic opportunities in the city.
- As the Israel-Palestine conflict intensifies, with disapproval of the war reaching a new high of 60% among Americans, particularly young Americans, Mamdani's stance on the issue may continue to resonate with progressive Democratic voters and potentially influence future policy-and-legislation discussions around war-and-conflicts and crime-and-justice.
