Among US Jews, Mamdani is More Popular Than Netanyahu: Poll

American Jews view New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani more favorably than Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to a nationwide survey released on Tuesday.

The data suggest that the mayor's explicit opposition to Israeli state policies has not blocked him from maintaining a net-positive image within the domestic Jewish electorate.

Data from the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research indicates that 44% of American Jews hold a positive opinion of Mamdani, while 39% view him unfavorably. In contrast, Netanyahu secured just 32% favorability, compared to a 59% negative rating.

Domestic Shifts and Municipal Friction

The polling comes despite Mamdani capturing only 26% of the Jewish vote during the previous municipal election cycle.

Since taking office, the New York leader has faced significant pushback from Zionist organizations due to his Palestinian activism and refusal to recognize Israel as a Jewish state.

Mamdani has committed to implementing an ICC arrest warrant against Netanyahu if the prime minister visits New York City, a stance set to be tested during the UN General Assembly this September.

The mayor also boycotted the traditional Israel Day parade, backed economic divestment measures, and campaigned for congressional candidates critical of Israel.

Netanyahu's Eroding American Standing

Netanyahu, who has dominated Israeli politics since 2009 aside from an 18-month break between 2021 and 2022, is experiencing a decline in U.S. public standing despite deep historical ties to the country.

The prime minister spent a portion of his youth near Philadelphia, studied in Boston, and served as a diplomat to the UN in the 1980s, frequently prioritizing American television appearances over domestic press engagements.

Meanwhile, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro outpaced both political figures in net favorability. Shapiro garnered a 41% positive rating against 21% negative, though 38% of respondents lacked sufficient knowledge to form an opinion.

Rising Criticism of Military Operations

The AP survey, conducted from June 11 to June 17 among 1,022 Jewish adults, highlights growing skepticism regarding the ongoing military campaign in Gaza.

While 73% of respondents viewed the initial military actions following the October 7, 2023 developments as justified, support for extended operations through last year's ceasefire fell to 42%.

Furthermore, the data shows that 30% of American Jews believe Israel has committed genocide in Gaza, aligning closely with wider U.S. public opinion trends. The survey carries a margin of error of plus or minus 5 percentage points.