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Jewish Dems in Congress Voice Unease at Mamdani’s Political Rise

Zohran Mamdani, New York City Democratic mayoral nominee, speaks on Primary Day at a campaign news conference at Astoria Park in Queens, New York, United States, on June 24, 2025. Photo: Kyle Mazza vis Reuters Connect.

A growing number of Jewish Democrats in Congress are voicing deep concern following Zohran Mamdani’s recent victory in their party’s New York City mayoral primary, citing his refusal to condemn the slogan “globalize the intifada” and vocal support for the boycott, divestment, sanctions (BDS) movement as troubling signs for both the party and Jewish constituents.

Mamdani’s unwillingness to denounce the phrase shows “his callous disregard for antisemitism, terrorist activity,” Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) told The Hill, warning of broader implications that are “terribly disturbing and potentially dangerous.”

“Anyone that I care about couldn’t possibly distance themselves from him more,” said Wasserman Schultz, one of the first Jewish women elected to Congress. 

Rep. Jared Moskowitz, who represents a heavily Jewish district in Florida, told the outlet: “I think he’s wrong on all those things. If he can’t tell people ‘globalizing the intifada’ — if he can’t say that that’s antisemitic, then obviously he’s going to continue to add to the problem, not deflate it.”

Rep. Greg Landsman (D-OH) echoed these concerns in a statement to The Hill, citing rising antisemitic violence nationwide. He described Mamdani’s positions as “a huge problem,” noting that “it’s definitely something that we’re worried about,” against the backdrop of recent violent attacks on Jews.

These statements come amid broader unease within the party as progressive candidates gain traction despite foreign policy positions that depart from traditional Democratic consensus. Some Jewish Democrats, such as New York’s Sen. Chuck Schumer and Rep. Jerrold Nadler, have cautiously congratulated Mamdani, citing his commitment to addressing hate. Others, meanwhile, argue that his candidacy risks alienating Jewish voters and blurring the line between criticism of Israel and antisemitism. Most high-profile Democrats have cautiously maintained distance between themselves and the Mamdani campaign, indicating unease over the progressive firebrand’s unorthodox and divisive brand of politics. 

Analysts note that in areas with large Jewish populations, like New York and parts of suburban Florida, Mamdani’s win signals a shift in what is considered acceptable discourse within Democratic primaries. Still, as concerns over antisemitic violence rise, Jewish congressional Democrats are on edge, debating whether party unity or principle must come first.

As the Democratic Party heads toward the 2026 midterms and beyond, figures like Wasserman Schultz and Moskowitz are expected to press for clear standards on foreign policy rhetoric, while others advocate for broader coalition-building. In the coming months, whether Jewish Democrats rally behind Mamdani or distance themselves may signal the party’s direction on balancing progressive activism with constituency concerns.

Mamdanis rapid political ascendance also raises questions regarding the future of Jews and Zionists within the Democratic Party. Once considered a fringe element of the left, critics of Israel have increasingly established themselves as a force within the party mainstream. Numerous polls have indicated a significant shift against the Jewish state among Democratic voters, raising concerns whether Israel can maintain solidly bipartisan support into the foreseeable future.

The post Jewish Dems in Congress Voice Unease at Mamdani’s Political Rise first appeared on Algemeiner.com.

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Report: IDF Probes Whether Houthis Used Iranian Cluster Bomb-Bearing Missile

Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi addresses followers via a video link at the al-Shaab Mosque, formerly al-Saleh Mosque, in Sanaa, Yemen, Feb. 6, 2024. Photo: REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah

i24 NewsThe Israeli military said Saturday it launched a probe into the failure of its defenses to fully intercept a missile launched by Yemen’s Houthi jihadists, parts of which struck not far from the Ben Gurion airport on Friday night.

According to the Ynet website, one of the hypotheses being examined is that the projectile contained cluster munitions, similar to those used by Iran to fire at Israeli cities during the 12-day war in June. Cluster munitions pose a challenge to interceptors as they disperse smaller explosives over a wide area.

In June, Iran fired several missiles carrying scattered small bombs with the aim of increasing civilian casualties.

The IDF said on Saturday that its initial review suggests the ballistic missile from Yemen likely fragmented in mid-air. Five interceptors from various systems engaged with the missile, including THAAD, Arrow, David Sling & Iron Dome.

Authorities said that shrapnel impacted a house in the central Israeli moshav of Ginaton, yet no one was hurt, with the fragment landing in the house’s backyard.

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Iran Forces Kill Six Militants, IRNA Reports, Israel Link Seen

The Iranian flag is seen flying over a street in Tehran, Iran, Feb. 3, 2023. Photo: Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS

Iranian security forces shot dead six militants in a clash in southeastern Iran on Saturday, a day after armed rebels killed five police officers in the restive region, the official news agency IRNA reported.

IRNA said evidence showed the group was linked to Israel and may have been trained by Israel‘s Mossad spy agency. There was no immediate Israeli reaction to the allegation.

Another two members of the militant group were arrested, the report said. All but one of the militants were foreign, it added, without giving their nationality.

Iranian police said this month they had arrested as many as 21,000 suspects during the 12-day war with Israel in June.

Iran’s southeast has been the scene of sporadic clashes between security forces and armed groups, including Sunni militants and separatists who say they are fighting for greater rights and autonomy.

Tehran says some of them have ties to foreign powers and are involved in cross-border smuggling and insurgency.

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Benny Gantz Urges Time-Limited National Unity Government to Further Chances of Hostage Deal

Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz attends his party’s meeting at the Knesset, Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, June 27, 2022. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun

i24 NewsBlue and White Party leader Benny Gantz on Saturday called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition politicians to form a temporary national unity government to further the chances of bringing home the hostages held in Gaza.

Addressing Netanyahu, Yair Lapid and Avigdor Liberman, Gantz said that the proposed government’s two supreme priorities would be the release of Israeli hostages held by the jihadists of Hamas and instituting universal conscription in Israel by ending the exemption from military service enjoyed by the ultra-Orthodox.

Upon attainment of the goals, the government would dissolve and call an election.

“The government’s term will begin with a hostage deal that brings everyone home,” Gantz said in a video address. “Within weeks, we will formulate an enlistment outline that would see our ultra-Orthodox brethren drafted to the military and ease the burden on those already serving. Finally, we will announce an agreed-upon election date in the spring of 2026 and pass a law to dissolve the Knesset [Israeli parliament] accordingly. This is what’s right for Israel.”

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