Progressive Israel-Critical Candidates Win New York Democratic Primaries

On June 24 2026, three New York City Democratic primaries produced victories for candidates backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Former comptroller Brad Lander defeated incumbent Dan Goldman in NY-10; democratic socialist Darializa Avila Chevalier unseated five-term Rep. Adriano Espaillat in NY-13; and state legislator Claire Valdez won the open NY-7 seat over borough president Antonio Reynoso. All three opposed U.S. arms sales to Israel, called the Gaza war a genocide, and criticized AIPAC’s influence.

Al Jazeera (website)

U.S. support for Israel, traditionally bipartisan, faced renewed scrutiny after President Biden aligned with Prime Minister Netanyahu following the Oct 7 2023 Hamas attack. Human-rights groups and a UN commission have labeled Israel’s Gaza campaign a genocide, a claim Israel rejects.

The Guardian

The Guardian reports more than 75,000 deaths in Gaza, while the AP cites over 73,000 dead, including about 1,000 since the October ceasefire. Both figures stem from sources that differ on casualty accounting.

The Guardian

The wins embed Israel-critical voices in safe Democratic districts, pressuring Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to address a coalition opposed to unconditional aid. Pro-Israel groups warn the shift could erode electoral support, while progressives argue it signals a moral realignment that may shape the 2026 midterms and the 2028 presidential nomination.

Politico

Justice Democrats’ Usamah Andrabi condemned AIPAC’s spending as enabling “a genocide.” Lander’s victory speech called Biden’s “hug Bibi” policy “a catastrophic mistake.” Schumer’s office said the party must “bridge the divide.” AIPAC praised its endorsed candidates and expressed disappointment at the losses. Brookings senior fellow Bill Galston warned that Democratic presidential candidates will soon have to state their position on Israel.

The Guardian

Pro-Israel Democrats and Republicans labeled the rhetoric antisemitic. Goldman warned that Lander’s campaign used “dangerous antisemitic tropes.” AIPAC described the results a “setback” for the pro-Israel coalition. Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) called Mamdani’s “monsters” comment “bigoted conspiracy mongering,” and the ADL echoed similar concerns.

It is now undeniable that Israel is an electoral liability for Democrats

• “This signals a substantial shift in policy toward Israel,” — Basil Smikle, Democratic strategist (Politico)

Politico

• “The Israel question has become defining,” — Matt Bennett, Third Way (AP)

Associated Press

• “Our party needs to admit that Joe Biden’s ‘hug Bibi’ strategy was a catastrophic mistake,” — Brad Lander, Congressman-elect (NY-10)

Politico

• “I think that it is a testament to just how much our movement has progressed against lobbies like Aipac, who have tried to spend hundreds of millions of dollars to keep us in a position where we spend hundreds of billions of dollars of our taxpayer money to fund a genocide and weapons and bombs abroad,” — Usamah Andrabi, Justice Democrats spokesperson

The Guardian

Primaries in Colorado, Michigan and Maryland will test whether the anti-Israel momentum spreads nationally. AIPAC and United Democracy Project have announced multi-million-dollar ad buys for those contests, while Democratic leaders signal a need to reconcile the emerging divide before the 2026 midterms.

Politico