NYC Councilwoman Warns Jewish Voters Are 'Petrified' of Mamdani Victory: 'Afraid to Live Here'

New York City Republican Councilwoman Inna Vernikov has issued a grave warning about the rise of Zohran Mamdani, the socialist mayoral candidate who, she argues, poses an existential threat to NYC’s Jewish community.

In an interview with Fox News Digital, Vernikov described her constituents in Brooklyn’s heavily Jewish district as “petrified” by the possibility that Mamdani could become the next mayor of the nation’s largest city.

“This is a guy who wants to globalize the intifada,” Vernikov said.

She added that New York’s Jewish population has historically contributed greatly to the city and country.

“We’ve never seen anything close to this in New York City,” Vernikov, who is herself Jewish, continued.

“Jews are telling me they’re going to run away from New York City… and the idea that they are now afraid to live here is unacceptable and unprecedented really.”

Vernikov stressed that Mamdani’s anti-Israel views, which date back to his college days, have caused widespread fear among the Jewish community.

Mamdani’s role in founding the “Students for Justice in Palestine” chapter at his university has been the subject of significant criticism.

His recent refusal to unequivocally condemn the phrase “globalize the intifada” has further fueled concerns about his rhetoric.

In response to public backlash, Mamdani has claimed he will no longer use the phrase and will discourage others from doing so.

However, for many, the damage has already been done.

Vernikov pointed out that the term “intifada” is a call to violence.

It serves as a reminder of the deadly conflicts between Hamas and the Israelis, during which innocent people, including Jews, lost their lives.

“We’ve seen what happened during two intifadas where people were murdered,” she stated, emphasizing the intense fear Mamdani’s candidacy has sparked within her district.

Critics of Mamdani, including human rights attorney Brooke Goldstein, have condemned his candidacy, linking him to a “radical, hate-filled” ideology that demonizes Jews and legitimizes violence.

Goldstein earlier described Mamdani’s political platform as “anti-American,” rooted in the same ideologies his father, Mahmood Mamdani, has espoused.

Mahmood Mamdani has previously made controversial comments supporting violence against Israel.

His remarks include a social media post celebrating a potential “third intifadah against settler colonialism” in Israel, which has drawn fierce condemnation.

Vernikov expressed her disgust at the double standard she believes exists within the Democratic Party, pointing to the widespread endorsements of Mamdani despite his problematic views.

“If this Democratic nominee would be like a KKK member or would call for annihilation of the black community, would they still back him?” Vernikov asked.

“I would think that the answer would be no, but when it comes to the Jews, that’s okay.”

Her outrage points to a troubling hypocrisy within the party, she argued, as Democrats continue to rally behind Mamdani despite his controversial stance.

Vernikov’s comments echo a growing disillusionment with the left’s tolerance of antisemitism, especially as she observes Republicans taking a firmer stance on combating hatred towards Jewish Americans.

“While Republicans are fighting antisemitism on behalf of Jewish Americans every day, the Democrats are supporting an antisemite,” Vernikov charged.

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Mamdani’s political rise is now creating serious fractures within the Democratic Party, where moderates and more centrist voices are increasingly concerned about the implications of his extremist positions.

For the Jewish community in New York City, the prospect of Mamdani taking office represents a dangerous precedent, one that may fuel further divisions in an already polarized political landscape.

As New Yorkers head to the polls this November, the question remains: will the city elect a mayor who actively undermines Jewish communities?

Or will they stand in solidarity with those who are fighting against radical ideologies and defending the values of freedom, democracy, and peace?

The stakes couldn’t be higher.