New York’s evolving political landscape is witnessing a growing challenge within the Democratic Party over U.S. policy toward Israel, highlighted by a series of competitive congressional primaries backed by the movement that propelled Zohran Mamdani to victory as mayor last year. Mamdani, who drew national attention for describing Israel’s actions as genocide during his insurgent campaign for City Hall, is now leveraging his newfound influence to support progressive candidates seeking to reshape congressional attitudes on the Middle East conflict.
In a Brooklyn rally ahead of Tuesday’s Democratic primary, Brad Lander, a former city comptroller and one of Mamdani’s allies, pledged to continue the fight against what he described as occupation, apartheid, and genocide. Lander is challenging incumbent Rep. Dan Goldman in a closely watched primary for a district encompassing parts of Manhattan and Brooklyn. Both candidates identify as liberal Zionists, but Lander has criticized Goldman’s support for limited military aid to Israel as insufficiently progressive.
This primary reflects broader tensions within the party, as left-wing challengers accuse incumbents of being too closely aligned with pro-Israel lobbying groups, particularly the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), and failing to adequately oppose the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Similar dynamics are playing out in the 13th Congressional District, where Rep. Adriano Espaillat, chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, faces a primary challenge from Darializa Avila Chevalier, a doctoral student and former Mamdani campaign organizer. Avila Chevalier condemns Espaillat for accepting over $350,000 from AIPAC during his five terms and questions his commitment to addressing social needs alongside foreign policy concerns.
The districts involved span diverse demographics and socioeconomic backgrounds. Lander’s district is among the wealthiest in the nation, while Espaillat represents a largely working-class area of the Bronx and upper Manhattan, including Harlem and Washington Heights. Democratic strategist Evan Roth Smith notes that voters in lower-income Black and Latino neighborhoods typically prioritize social services over foreign policy. Yet challengers like Avila Chevalier are seeking to link the two, arguing that funds spent on military aid could be redirected to address local needs, a message underscored by her campaign slogan, “Babies not Bombs.”
Amid these contests, some Democratic figures express concern about the tone of the debates, worried that the focus on Israel and AIPAC contributions risks invoking antisemitic tropes related to Jewish financial influence. Scott Stringer, a former Manhattan borough president and supporter of both Goldman and Espaillat, has voiced apprehension over the potential for increased polarization. Lander acknowledges discomfort with this aspect but emphasizes that the Democratic base increasingly refuses to fund what he terms ongoing genocide.
Supporters at Lander’s rally, including local consultant Meghan Marr, embrace his stance as a “Jewish voice for solidarity” in opposition to military aid for Israel. Volunteers wore T-shirts bearing slogans calling to end U.S. arms sales to Israel and promoting solidarity with Palestinians. The movement around Mamdani seeks to extend its impact beyond city government, making these primaries an early test of progressive power’s resilience and influence in a city traditionally known for its strong pro-Israel political alignments.
As voters prepare to head to the polls, these races offer a glimpse into a party grappling with shifting views on Israel and Palestine, reflecting broader changes in public opinion and the complex interplay between local and international issues within diverse communities.