I'm a Zionist Jew from New York; I Had to Vote Mamdani
It was an agonizing decision that weighed on me for weeks. As both a lifelong Zionist and a New Yorker, I kept asking myself who was best suited to lead our city through these uncertain times. The turning point came during a conversation with a respected family friend—an Israeli who has lived in New York for twenty-five years—whose insights helped me decide.
"I'd vote for Bibi, who you know I despise, before I'd vote for Cuomo."
That remark crystallized my doubts about Andrew Cuomo, whom I had long viewed as arrogant, outdated, and dismissive toward women. My friend also reflected on how Israelis—many of whom had told me that Mamdani was an antisemite destined to endanger Jews in America—lacked the full context to understand this mayoral election. He noted the irony that Israelis made such judgments while often accusing Americans of misunderstanding their own fierce support for the Palestinian cause.
Many Americans aligned with Palestinian activism did not fully grasp the implications of the phrase “From the river to the sea.” Few had visited Israel, and thus could not comprehend the proximity of its borders or the constant threat of attacks. They often failed to see how Hamas, for decades, has hidden weapons and fighters within schools, mosques, and hospitals, disregarding civilian lives. Similarly, the Netanyahu government’s failure to anticipate the magnitude of the October 7 assault revealed a dangerous complacency.
Author's Summary
Between conflicting loyalties and perspectives, the writer chooses conscience over ideology, questioning both Israeli and American blind spots about justice, safety, and leadership.