Zohran Mamdani
New York State Assemblymember and NYC mayoral candidate; self-described anti-Zionist
A democratic-socialist Muslim politician who has identified as an anti-Zionist, supports the BDS movement, and declines to affirm Israel’s right to exist “as a Jewish state” — while insisting it has a right to exist “as a state with equal rights.” He sits exactly on the boundary the entry maps: he affirms Israel’s existence yet rejects the Jewish-state definition, so under the self-determination lens he reads “no” even though he is not calling for Israel’s disappearance.
What happened
During his 2025 NYC mayoral campaign, Mamdani was repeatedly pressed — in debates and interviews — on whether he believed in Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state. He consistently affirmed a right to exist while declining to endorse its Jewish character, citing opposition to any state with a “hierarchy of citizenship on the basis of religion.”
I believe Israel has the right to exist, as a state with equal rights. (Mamdani, NYC mayoral debate, June 2025)
Under each definition
He has identified as an anti-Zionist.
He affirms a right to exist but repeatedly declines to support Israel “as a Jewish state,” opposing any religion-based “hierarchy of citizenship.”
He supports BDS and describes Israeli rule as apartheid — aligned with, not opposed to, the critical frame.
No religious/return conception of Zionism is at issue.
The case that they're a Zionist
Little on the pro-label side: he has identified as an anti-Zionist. The nearest thing is that, unlike eliminationist positions, he affirms Israel’s right to exist and to security under international law — a recognition some Zionists treat as the baseline test.
The case against / their own view
He rejects the Zionist label, supports BDS, has described Israeli conduct as apartheid and genocide, and specifically declines to support Israel “as a Jewish state” — failing the self-determination definition at its core.
In their words
I’m not comfortable supporting any state that has a hierarchy of citizenship on the basis of religion or anything else … Equality should be enshrined in every country in the world.
Like all nations, I believe it has a right to exist and a responsibility also to uphold international law.
Mamdani, we do not need your recognition of the Jewish state… Israel’s Declaration of Independence guaranteed full equality for all its citizens.
The verdicts above are how each definition would most likely classify this person — illustrative guidance, not official rulings. The lenses diverge most on the difference between a self-label and a substantive commitment, and between “Zionism” meaning a Jewish homeland versus a Jewish state. See the Definition tab for each definition’s full text. Inclusion is documentation, not a finding.