The Hasbara radicals aside, I think it is legitimate to say that there are honest and not mean-spirited held concerns among large segments of the Jewish community. What they fear is Mandani would live up to the letter of Orthodox BDS and ostracize all things Israeli and Zionist. Yet there also exists an Israeli left and even center that would welcome a Muslim Mayor of NY who spoke for dialogue and rapproachment between Jew and Palestinian. Is Zohran that guy? They also worry about Jewish students on campuses and their very real concerns.
London Jews have gone through both a Jew insensitive Mayor later replaced by a Muslim mayor and socialist who brought Jews into his coalition as welcomed partners. Same for the British Labour Party where Corbynism popularized "Zio" as an epithet before Corbyn and his posh leftism was shown the door.
All this is to say that Mandani has yet to be fully vetted by the press and others. As a once charter member of DSA in the Harrington years, I ask, "Zohran, what kind of Socialist are you?"
Thanks, Bob. You've offered a necessary and insightful framing of the issue. I think you've raised exactly the right questions, ones that a movement with real governing ambitions needs to confront openly and honestly. It’s not enough to stand for justice in abstraction; leaders have to also demonstrate how their values translate into inclusive, pluralistic governance. The challenge now is whether Mamdani can articulate a vision that holds space for both Palestinian liberation and Jewish security, not as competing interests, but as intertwined parts of the same moral struggle. We shall see.
Wayne...I really, truly appreciate that support. I'm betting there will be some nasty reactions to what I've written. I just wish the Dems could get it together.
"(I)f Democrats can’t find the moral clarity to defend one of their own against a smear campaign rooted in Islamophobia and xenophobia, they’re...abandoning the very values they claim to champion." Spot on, Herb! #Mamdanimoment #clarityovercowardace #turningpoint
Well said, Herb; as always, thank you.
The Hasbara radicals aside, I think it is legitimate to say that there are honest and not mean-spirited held concerns among large segments of the Jewish community. What they fear is Mandani would live up to the letter of Orthodox BDS and ostracize all things Israeli and Zionist. Yet there also exists an Israeli left and even center that would welcome a Muslim Mayor of NY who spoke for dialogue and rapproachment between Jew and Palestinian. Is Zohran that guy? They also worry about Jewish students on campuses and their very real concerns.
London Jews have gone through both a Jew insensitive Mayor later replaced by a Muslim mayor and socialist who brought Jews into his coalition as welcomed partners. Same for the British Labour Party where Corbynism popularized "Zio" as an epithet before Corbyn and his posh leftism was shown the door.
All this is to say that Mandani has yet to be fully vetted by the press and others. As a once charter member of DSA in the Harrington years, I ask, "Zohran, what kind of Socialist are you?"
Thanks, Bob. You've offered a necessary and insightful framing of the issue. I think you've raised exactly the right questions, ones that a movement with real governing ambitions needs to confront openly and honestly. It’s not enough to stand for justice in abstraction; leaders have to also demonstrate how their values translate into inclusive, pluralistic governance. The challenge now is whether Mamdani can articulate a vision that holds space for both Palestinian liberation and Jewish security, not as competing interests, but as intertwined parts of the same moral struggle. We shall see.
Exactly! Thanks, clear/bright!
Very good and needed piece Herb. Thank you… at present i don’t see a Dem party… very sad the recent drift and abdication.
Wayne...I really, truly appreciate that support. I'm betting there will be some nasty reactions to what I've written. I just wish the Dems could get it together.
Incisive. You brilliantly address what I believe Dems lack, a coherent vision infused with moral clarity.
Thanks, Mark. I appreciate the stroke. Fully expect some push back on my perspective.
"(I)f Democrats can’t find the moral clarity to defend one of their own against a smear campaign rooted in Islamophobia and xenophobia, they’re...abandoning the very values they claim to champion." Spot on, Herb! #Mamdanimoment #clarityovercowardace #turningpoint
Thank you, Herb. I wasn't paying attention to Zohran Mamdani at all, so now I know. Courage. What a concept.
Zohran Mamdani is the Canary in the Coal Mine:
https://torrancestephensphd.substack.com/p/the-canary-in-the-coal-mine-zohran