Dear Representative Ocasio-Cortez,

We are writing to share our deep concern about your endorsement of Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani for mayor of New York City.

During a recent mayoral debate, Assemblymember Mamdani was asked whether he believes Israel has the right to exist as a Jewish state. He responded by affirming Israel's right to exist but emphasized that it should be a state with equal rights for all, sidestepping the question of its identity as a Jewish state.

This position is not merely a policy disagreement; it challenges the fundamental right of the Jewish people to self-determination. By refusing to acknowledge Israel's identity as a Jewish state, Assemblymember Mamdani aligns himself with a perspective that undermines the legitimacy of a homeland for the Jewish people.

Furthermore, Assemblymember Mamdani is a vocal supporter of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which seeks to isolate Israel economically and politically. While he describes BDS as a non-violent effort to enforce international law, many view it as a campaign that delegitimizes Israel's right to exist.

As you are likely aware, Mamdani has refused to label the atrocities of October 7 — when Hamas terrorists massacred, raped, and kidnapped over 1,200 Israelis — as terrorism. He has consistently failed to acknowledge the humanity of Israeli victims, while placing sole blame and outrage on Israel’s attempts to defend its citizens.

He has aligned himself with groups that chant “Globalize the Intifada” — a slogan that glorifies violent uprisings against Jews. That language has already spilled from rallies into real-life antisemitic attacks in New York City, including assaults in Boulder and Washington, D.C., just days after similar protests. When elected officials legitimize that kind of rhetoric — or those who promote it — they signal to Jewish New Yorkers that their fear is unwarranted and their safety expendable.

Given your position in Congress and your national platform, that is based in a city with largest Jewish population in the country the vast majority of whom view Israel as central to their identity, we are gravely concerned about this endorsement.  

We urge your response to our letter- does your endorsement imply agreement with these positions?

Signed,

Elisha Wiesel

Andres Spokoiny

Ari Ackerman

Aliza Licht