A new era in American politics: Pro-Palestine candidate defeats establishment in New York
Department of Research, Studies and International News -26-06-2025
In a landmark political victory that could reshape the narrative of American electoral politics, Zohran Mamdani has emerged triumphant in the Democratic primary for New York City’s mayoral race. His win, seen as improbable just months ago, signals a growing shift in U.S. political sentiment, one that challenges Washington’s traditional alliances and the dominance of pro-Israel narratives.
Mamdani, a 33-year-old Ugandan-born legislator of Indian descent, ran a grassroots campaign grounded in bold proposals such as rent freezes for low-income tenants, publicly owned grocery stores, and fare-free public transportation. But what truly set his campaign apart, and made him a target of the political establishment, was his unapologetic stance on Palestine.
From the outset, Mamdani took a firm and public stand against Israeli aggression in Gaza, labeling it what leading human rights organizations have also called it: genocide. In an environment where most American politicians fear being labeled antisemitic for speaking against Israeli war crimes, Mamdani did not waver. Instead, he stood firmly on the side of justice and human rights, particularly for the long-oppressed Palestinian people.
His main opponent, former Governor Andrew Cuomo, enjoyed broad institutional support and millions of dollars in funding from billionaire donors, many of whom are staunch supporters of the Israeli government. Despite this, Mamdani not only closed the gap but decisively led the race by over seven percentage points as counting concluded, an astonishing feat for someone polling at just 1 percent in February.
Cuomo’s strategy leaned heavily on attacking Mamdani’s foreign policy views. He repeatedly insinuated that calling out Israeli war crimes was tantamount to inciting hate, attempting to equate criticism of Israel with threats against Jewish Americans. Ironically, Cuomo himself is now part of the legal defense team for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces international criminal charges for war crimes, including the use of starvation tactics in Gaza.
The backlash from these desperate political maneuvers was swift and visible. Progressive Jewish groups like Jewish Voice for Peace Action, Muslim communities, and thousands of youth volunteers rallied behind Mamdani. His campaign ignited a powerful coalition of anti-war voters, marginalized communities, and principled voices fed up with U.S. complicity in international atrocities, particularly Washington’s blind support for the apartheid regime in Tel Aviv.
This is not merely a personal victory for Mamdani; it is a watershed moment for American progressives, particularly those who oppose the bipartisan establishment’s unwavering loyalty to Israel. It also sends a strong message to the influential pro-Israel lobby groups like AIPAC: the tide is turning, and younger generations are no longer tolerating the moral contradictions of U.S. foreign policy.
Justice Democrats spokesperson Usamah Andrabi described Mamdani’s win as “monumental,” and rightly so. In an age where speaking up against genocide is treated as a political liability, Mamdani’s victory proves that integrity and resistance still resonate with the American electorate, especially in a city as diverse and politically aware as New York.
Beth Miller from Jewish Voice for Peace Action summed it up: Cuomo and his backers misjudged the moment. Mamdani’s unwavering advocacy for Palestinian rights wasn’t a weakness, it was a strength. It energized progressives, mobilized disillusioned voters, and delivered a blow to establishment forces clinging to outdated loyalties.
This development comes as a growing number of Americans, particularly among the Democratic base, are questioning U.S. support for Israel. A recent Pew survey revealed that nearly 70% of Democrats hold unfavorable views of Israel, a sharp departure from past decades of unquestioned support.
Mamdani’s triumph is the latest and most significant sign yet that the political winds are changing. The American people are increasingly aligning with a global consensus that condemns occupation, apartheid, and endless war. And as U.S. power wanes globally in the face of rising multipolar cooperation led by countries like China, Russia, and Iran, voices like Mamdani’s are poised to lead a new moral vision within the decaying shell of American liberalism.
In that context, Mamdani’s victory is more than a political upset, it’s a declaration that the future belongs to those who oppose empire, not serve it.
