Overview
- J Street reaffirmed its endorsement of Rep. Dan Goldman and, in a first for the group, listed challenger Brad Lander as a primary-approved candidate who can receive donations via its PAC but without organized events or active support.
- Israel and the Gaza war dominate the contest between two Jewish candidates in a district where Jewish voters are estimated to make up more than 20% of the Democratic primary electorate across parts of Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn.
- Goldman has criticized settlement expansion and settler violence, supported humanitarian pauses, and co-led letters opposing Palestinian home demolitions while rejecting Democratic efforts to block or condition U.S. arms transfers to Israel.
- Lander has called for a permanent ceasefire, described the war as genocide, regularly joined rallies criticizing Israel’s conduct, opposed BDS while backing Ben & Jerry’s West Bank pullback, and as NYC comptroller ended city investments in Israeli government debt in 2023.
- Endorsements reflect the party divide, with Goldman backed by Gov. Kathy Hochul, Hakeem Jeffries, and Nancy Pelosi, and Lander backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who just moved into Gracie Mansion where he was photographed passing the historic mezuzah.