Rabbi Michaelson defends Mamdani, says anti-Zionism rooted in Israel’s conduct, not antisemitism

NEW YORK  (MNTV) — “Whether we like it or not (and I do not), anti-Zionism has entered the political mainstream — not because of antisemitism, but because of two years of brutal warfare, dehumanizing rhetoric, and humanitarian abuses on the part of the Netanyahu government,” writes Rabbi Jay Michaelson, a columnist for The Forward.

“Zohran Mamdani is not normalizing anti-Zionism; he is reflecting where tens of millions of Americans already find themselves ideologically.”

In his essay, “Zohran Mamdani: The No-Yes Option,” Michaelson argues that the political conversation around Israel has evolved, driven not by hatred of Jews but by the disillusionment many Americans feel toward Israel’s right-wing government.

He insists that the growing critique of Zionism in the United States should be understood as a moral and political response to the realities on the ground — not as antisemitic hostility.

“We do not need to agree on every important issue if we agree on the most important ones,” Michaelson writes.

“Do you agree with Zohran Mamdani about Israel? Are you voting for him next week? Those are two different questions — and they can have two different answers: No and Yes.”

Michaelson’s essay comes amid an increasingly heated New York mayoral race in which Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist assemblyman from Queens and son of filmmaker Mira Nair, has faced attacks from pro-Israel groups for his outspoken criticism of Israeli policies.

Israeli lobby accuses him of tolerating anti-Zionist rhetoric; supporters say he represents a new generation of American progressives who want justice and equality for all peoples.

Michaelson cautions against conflating legitimate criticism of Israel with antisemitism, saying Jewish voters should focus on the broader moral stakes.

He stresses that Mamdani’s campaign is rooted in local and democratic concerns — not foreign policy.

“To his supporters, the Mamdani candidacy is about kitchen-table issues — yes, the buses and the grocery stores, but also taxes and inequality as well as a generational shift in our politics and resistance to the Trump regime’s anti-democratic actions,” he writes. “Mamdani didn’t talk about Israel/Palestine until asked over and over again to do so.”

While Michaelson acknowledges that he does not share all of Mamdani’s views, he urges Jewish voters to look at the bigger picture.

Michaelson says his vote would go to Mamdani, calling him a needed bulwark against what he describes as creeping authoritarianism in America.

“Within a few months, it seems all but certain that the Trump regime will send the National Guard and militarized ICE personnel into New York City,” he writes.

“Who is going to stand up to this authoritarian militarism? Andrew Cuomo? Curtis Sliwa? New York needs a mayor who will defend what’s left of our democratic society.”

Michaelson also accuses Mamdani’s opponents, particularly those aligned with Cuomo, of indulging in “outright racism” and “noxious bigotry” that mirror tactics of the far right. He criticizes a recent letter signed by more than a thousand rabbis condemning Mamdani’s stance on Israel, saying it spread “calumnies” and failed to denounce racist attacks on him.

“This is exactly the kind of sewer politics with which Donald Trump’s populist movement has poisoned the country,” he writes.

“If a Jewish candidate were subjected to antisemitic rhetoric, we would rightly demand that bigotry be called out. We should be collectively ashamed of our leaders for not doing so here.”

Michaelson underscores that Mamdani’s ties to progressive Jewish figures, such as New York Comptroller Brad Lander, offer reassurance that Jewish voices will remain part of his administration’s decision-making process.

Ultimately, he urges American Jews to adapt to a changing political landscape where disagreements over Israel no longer define political loyalty.

“American Jews need to learn to disagree with politicians about Israel, try to tease apart legitimate Jewish self-determination from the Jewish supremacy politics of Israel’s right, and work with our imperfect allies toward the common good,” Michaelson concludes.