Israel, Zionism and the Democratic party: A closer look at the controversial views of Mamdani’s 'anti-semitic bunch'

Pro-Israel Democrats and Republicans are reassessing their political footing this week after New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s endorsement of anti-Israel socialist candidates helped propel victories in three key Democratic primaries.

ALL ISRAEL NEWS reached out to Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis, who represents New York’s 11th Congressional District, covering Staten Island and parts of southern Brooklyn. She didn’t mince words.

“We saw Democrat voters in New York City nominate radical leftists who believe we should have no police, no prisons and no borders,” she said. “One even went so far as to say that we should defund our military and criminals convicted of heinous violent crimes should not be deported.

"If you think the current crop of Democrats who voted for massive tax increases and to defund law enforcement were bad, you’re in for a rude awakening with this anti-American, anti-Israel and anti-Semitic bunch," Malliotakis asserted.

"The best thing Americans can do is vote Republican in November and to prevent this group of communist sympathizers and their enablers from taking control of our federal government,” she concluded.

Whether voters agree with that assessment or not, one thing is clear: Tuesday night’s results were not merely victories for individual candidates. They marked a broader triumph for Mamdani’s political movement and underscored the growing influence of the Democratic Party’s activist left.

The biggest lightning rod among the group is undoubtedly Darializa Avila Chevalier. Should she arrive in Congress, she would add another unapologetic democratic socialist voice alongside Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, further cementing the movement's foothold within the party.

The Mamdani-endorsed congressional candidate has built her campaign around democratic socialist politics, pro-Palestinian activism and a sharp critique of America’s immigration, criminal justice and foreign policy systems.

Critics point to a long trail of statements that have generated controversy, especially when it comes to Jews and Israel. Among them was a social media post declaring: “Trick question — Israel doesn’t exist.”

She has advocated ending U.S. funding for Israel, accused a Democratic congressman of being “bought by the Israeli lobby,” and criticized AOC and Bernie Sanders for being too pro-Israel. She also attended a controversial pro-Palestinian rally in Times Square on Oct. 8, 2023—just one day after Hamas carried out its attack on Israel.

Her defenders argue that these positions reflect opposition to Israeli government policies, not hostility toward Jewish people. Critics strongly disagree, saying some of the rhetoric crosses into anti-Semitic territory.

All of her anti-Israel sentiment comes with the backdrop of socialism and a clear anti-American bent.  She used to be involved with Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD). The organization became nationally known during anti-Israel protests at Columbia University.

Critics frequently cite a statement associated with the group declaring that activists were fighting for the “total eradication of Western civilization.” Chevalier has also faced scrutiny over a 2019 social media post in which she joked about using the American flag as a napkin after forgetting to bring one.

Meanwhile, another Mamdani-backed winner, Claire Valdez, has her own controversial past statements and actions when it comes to Israel.

She was arrested after protesting in front of the Manhattan offices of Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand over their votes against halting U.S. arms sales to Israel. She also hosted Mahmoud Khalil, the Columbia University encampment organizer at a pro-Palestinian campaign rally

Then there is Brad Lander, who has increasingly aligned himself with progressive criticism of Israel’s conduct in the Gaza war and with activists seeking to move the Democratic Party in a more confrontational direction on Israel.

He calls himself a “Jewish Zionist” and consistently criticized Israel of genocide in Gaza, used the term "apartheid" when it comes to how Israel treats Palestinians, says he’ll vote to recognize a Palestinian state and also block weapons sales to Israel.

The cumulative picture is pretty clear. These candidates are not only openly embracing democratic socialism. They are steeply entrenched in anti-Israel activism. It’s at the core of what they believe…and soon, they’ll all be roaming the Halls of Congress.

That reality has Republicans convinced they have found a potent political issue heading into November. Congresswoman Lauren Boebert tells All Israel News, “NYC voters have spoken. In today’s Democrat party, either promote socialism or they’ll find a new candidate who will.”

That will definitely be the GOP rallying cry come November but the damage has already been done in New York.

Now the key question is, can the GOP and, more importantly, the traditionalists in the Democrat Party stop the anti-Israel momentum in their ranks? It doesn’t look likely at this point.