New York— In a political climate charged with fear, censorship, and rising Islamophobia, Indian-origin politician Zohran Mamdani has emerged as a bold and principled voice, winning the Democratic primary for the New York City mayoral race with an overwhelming 43.51 percent of the vote, defeating 11 other candidates. His victory, marked by his unflinching criticism of U.S. foreign policy and vocal support for Palestinian rights, is being seen as a continuation of the courageous legacy of his parents — filmmaker Mira Nair and political thinker Mahmood Mamdani.
Zohran’s campaign stood out for its open support for the Palestinian cause, a position considered politically risky in the United States, particularly amid the surge in anti-Palestinian sentiment following the Israel-Hamas war that began on October 7, 2023. Since then, over 9,000 Islamophobic attacks have been reported in the U.S., with increasing suppression of voices that speak out against Israeli actions in Gaza.
Yet, Mamdani remained unapologetic. Throughout his campaign, he condemned what he called the “genocide in Gaza”, demanded an end to U.S. military aid to Israel, supported cultural and economic boycotts, and even joined a hunger strike outside the White House calling for a ceasefire. “The Palestinian cause is central to my identity,” he declared during multiple campaign events.
Currently a member of the New York State Assembly, Zohran drew national attention when he opposed a legislative resolution commemorating the Holocaust and the founding of Israel, objecting to language describing Israel as a country that “strives for peace.” He clarified that he strongly opposes antisemitism but insisted that criticism of Israeli policies should not be conflated with hatred against Jews. He reiterated his support for Israel’s existence as a state where all citizens enjoy equal rights regardless of religion.
Zohran’s moral stand extended to supporting International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrants against Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, for alleged war crimes in Gaza. He went a step further by promising that, if elected mayor, he would ensure Netanyahu is arrested if he visits New York.
Despite the political risks, Mamdani’s campaign also resonated with everyday New Yorkers due to his focus on local issues such as skyrocketing rent, public transport costs, childcare expenses, and lack of affordable housing. With over 67 percent of New Yorkers living in rented accommodation and rising living costs, his promise to implement rent control, provide free public transit, universal childcare, and build affordable housing struck a chord with the electorate.
However, his outspoken views on Israel drew sharp backlash. Former U.S. President Donald Trump labeled Mamdani a “communist lunatic” and threatened to cut federal funding to New York if he were elected. Other politicians called for his citizenship to be revoked and for his deportation. Zohran, who became a U.S. citizen in 2018, stood firm and said he refused to be intimidated by such threats.
Observers attribute his courage and clarity to his ideological upbringing. His mother Mira Nair made headlines in 2013 when she declined an invitation to be the guest of honour at the Haifa International Film Festival in Israel, protesting the country’s occupation of Palestine. In her public statement, Nair wrote, “I will go to Israel when Apartheid is over,” aligning herself with the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement.
Zohran’s father, Mahmood Mamdani, a noted political science professor at Columbia University, earned acclaim — and criticism — for his 2004 book Good Muslim, Bad Muslim: America, the Cold War and the Roots of Terror. At a time when dissent was nearly silenced after 9/11, he challenged the dominant U.S. narrative that blamed Islam for global terrorism. He argued that terrorism stemmed not from Islamic teachings but from Cold War-era geopolitics, especially U.S. interventions in Afghanistan and elsewhere.
Mamdani traced how the U.S. had once supported and armed the Mujahideen to fight the Soviets in Afghanistan, only to later brand the same fighters as terrorists. He coined the concept of “blowback,” explaining how these U.S.-backed groups turned against their former sponsors once their political value had expired. His thesis shifted the blame for radical violence from religion to foreign policy missteps and historical injustices.
In his writings, Mahmood Mamdani insisted that solving terrorism required moving away from military strategies and toward political solutions that addressed grievances, promoted justice, and acknowledged historical trauma. His work remains one of the most intellectually rigorous challenges to the “clash of civilizations” narrative that conflated Islam with terrorism.
Zohran Mamdani, through his campaign and policy positions, has taken forward this intellectual and moral tradition. His unapologetic critique of U.S. foreign policy, unwavering support for human rights, and fearless advocacy for the Palestinian cause mark him as a rare voice of conscience in American politics. His victory is being seen not only as a political milestone but as a moral statement that truth can still resonate with the electorate.
