Marc Abear: Mamdani is the wrong person to represent New York City

To The Daily Sun,

New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani is facing pushback after details of his 2023 legislative proposal drew attention. The Mamdani bill is titled the “Not on our dime! Ending New York funding of Israeli settler violence act.” It imposes heavy fines, fines starting at $1 million, on Jewish organizations and synagogues for donation to specific Israeli charities Mamdani deems objectionable.

The legislation targets nonprofits providing support to communities in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza. It labels these areas “occupied territories.” The Mamdani designation includes parts of Israel’s capital. 

Mamdani’s bill defines “settlement activity” broadly, including any support; financial, logistical or otherwise, provided to Israeli civilians, emergency responders or governmental activities in these regions.

Under the proposed law, contributions to organizations internationally recognized for providing emergency medical care and rescue operations would be banned and penalized. 

The bill drew outrage when introduced. It was authored by Mamdani, a self-described Democratic Socialist. He’s a prominent supporter of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement. His allies echo his rhetoric at rallies.

Why did Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins make clear the legislation would not advance to a vote? Is the Mamdani legislation reflective of who he is? Does it reflect what his party is?

The bill is a targeted assault on Jewish charitable activity and religious freedom. It exercises the power of state government through punitive legislation to enforce ideological orthodoxy. It was only introduced to antagonize and sow division. 

Mamdani won the Democrat Party endorsement in the mayoral race. His nomination alarms business leaders, moderates, and New York’s Jewish population. His rhetoric is laced with Marxist allusions and revolutionary imagery. His policy positions are fueling concerns about what a Mamdani administration would mean for New York’s stability, economy, and international standing.

Marc Abear

Meredith