Zohran Mamdani sparks outrage over mocking Jewish traditions in shared video

In December 2024, Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic socialist candidate for mayor of New York City, faced backlash for sharing a video that mocked Jewish traditions during Hanukkah. The video, which was posted to his X account, featured members of the Geeta Brothers Duet Group dressed in what many perceived as stereotypical Jewish garments while celebrating with dreidels and menorahs. This act prompted significant condemnation from the pro-Jewish advocacy group Stop Antisemitism, who deemed the video 'sick' and offensive to the sanctity of Jewish holidays. Alongside this incident, Mamdani's political positions regarding Israel have raised further concerns among voters and various Jewish communities in New York City. He has faced accusations of antisemitism, joined by a refusal to affirm Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state and his support for the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement. These controversies have created a challenging environment for his campaign, drawing attention not just to his use of social media, but also to the broader implications of his beliefs for the Jewish community in New York. The cumulative effect of his actions and statements have caused many Jewish residents to feel alarmed and offended, potentially impacting his support in a city with a significant Jewish population.