Politics in New York usually follows a script. You know how it goes. There are press releases, carefully curated photo ops, and a lot of people saying things that don’t actually mean much. But then you get a moment that makes everyone stop scrolling.
When Rabbi Yisroel Dovid Weiss and New York State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani appear in the same space, it isn’t just a random local news blip. It's a collision of two very different, yet oddly aligned, worlds. On one side, you have a spokesperson for Neturei Karta, a fringe but highly visible group of Haredi Jews who believe the state of Israel shouldn't exist for theological reasons. On the other, you have a Democratic Socialist from Queens who has built a political identity around anti-colonialism and housing rights.
It's weird. It’s controversial. And honestly, it’s exactly why people are Googling them.
The Theology of Rabbi Yisroel Dovid Weiss
To understand why this connection exists, you have to look at Weiss. He isn't your typical activist. He’s often seen at protests wearing his full traditional garb—long coat, fur hat (shtreimel), and sidecurls—holding a sign that says "A Jew, Not a Zionist."
For Weiss, this isn't about modern liberal politics. It's old-school. Neturei Karta follows a specific interpretation of the Talmud known as the "Three Oaths." Basically, they believe that Jews are forbidden from using human force to reclaim the Land of Israel before the coming of the Messiah. In his view, the modern state of Israel is a rebellion against God.
He’s been everywhere from Tehran to Gaza. He met with Yasser Arafat back in the day. He’s been photographed with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Because of this, he’s basically persona non grata in almost every mainstream Jewish circle. They see him as a traitor or a useful idiot for regimes that want to see Israel destroyed. But Weiss doesn't care. He sees himself as the "authentic" voice of Judaism, stripped of what he calls the "nationalist heresy" of Zionism.
Enter Zohran Mamdani
Then there’s Zohran Mamdani. He represents the 36th District in Queens. He’s young. He’s energetic. He’s the son of famed academic Mahmood Mamdani and filmmaker Mira Nair. When he ran for office, he didn’t do the usual "safe" dance. He leaned into being a socialist.
Mamdani’s interest in the Middle East isn't theological like Weiss’s. It’s about human rights and anti-imperialism. He has been one of the most vocal critics in Albany regarding New York's financial ties to Israeli settlements. In 2023, he introduced the "Not on Our Dime!" Act, which aimed to stop New York-based charities from sending tax-exempt money to fund settlement activities in the West Bank.
This is where the Venn diagram overlaps.
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The Convergence of Two Outsiders
Why would a secular socialist and a fundamentalist Rabbi find common ground?
It’s about optics and legitimacy. For Mamdani, having someone like Rabbi Yisroel Dovid Weiss around provides a specific kind of political cover. It allows him to argue that his critiques of Israel are not critiques of Judaism. If a Rabbi with a long white beard says the state is illegitimate, it complicates the narrative that anti-Zionism is inherently antisemitic.
For Weiss, Mamdani represents a gateway to the modern political left. Neturei Karta needs allies who have actual power, even if that power is just a seat in the State Assembly.
They’ve been seen together at rallies, specifically during the massive protests that swept New York City in late 2023 and throughout 2024. During these events, the rhetoric is usually focused on a ceasefire or "Free Palestine." But for these two individuals, the motivations are miles apart. Weiss is there because he believes the "Zionist state" is a spiritual catastrophe. Mamdani is there because he views the situation through the lens of international law and social justice.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Pairing
A lot of people think this is a sign of a broad alliance between Orthodox Jews and the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).
It isn't. Not even close.
Neturei Karta is tiny. We’re talking maybe a few thousand people globally. Most Orthodox Jews—even those who are non-Zionist (meaning they don't celebrate the state but live there and take government funding)—find Weiss's tactics abhorrent. They think he’s endangering Jewish lives by cozying up to leaders who have called for violence.
Similarly, Mamdani’s stance isn't the consensus in the New York State Assembly. He’s often a lone voice, or one of a small handful.
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But in the world of social media and Google Discover, these "fringe" alignments get the most traction. A photo of Mamdani and Weiss together at a rally in Manhattan goes viral because it breaks the "expected" mold of New York politics. It challenges the binary.
The "Not on Our Dime" Impact
You can't talk about these two without mentioning the legislative push. When Mamdani pushed the "Not on Our Dime!" bill, it caused a firestorm.
Mainstream Jewish organizations like the UJA-Federation of New York came down hard on it. They argued it would penalize legitimate charitable work. But Weiss and his followers were among the few Jewish voices who stood up and said, "No, this is right."
This creates a weird dynamic in Albany. You have lawmakers trying to navigate a bill that is being supported by a group (Neturei Karta) that most of their constituents find extreme. It puts people in a corner.
Realities of the Alliance
Is this a "friendship"? Probably not in the way you think.
It’s a tactical alignment. Weiss is a master of the "visual protest." He knows that his presence adds a layer of shock value and "authenticity" to pro-Palestinian spaces. Mamdani knows that to win the rhetorical war in a city like New York, you need to show that "the Jewish community" is not a monolith.
But let’s be real. If they sat down to talk about anything else—LGBTQ+ rights, women’s roles in society, or secular education—they would disagree on almost every single point. Weiss lives in a world of strict religious law. Mamdani lives in a world of progressive social change.
They are the ultimate "strange bedfellows."
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Why This Matters Right Now
In 2025 and 2026, the conversation around Israel and Palestine has moved from "foreign policy" to "local policy" in New York. We see it in the CUNY protests. We see it in the primary challenges within the Democratic party.
The Rabbi Yisroel Dovid Weiss and Zohran Mamdani connection is a microcosm of a larger shift. It shows that the traditional guardrails of "what is acceptable" in political discourse are dissolving.
People are looking for voices that don't sound like the standard talking points. Whether you agree with them or not, these two represent a rejection of the status quo. One rejects it from the past (theology), and the other rejects it for the future (socialism).
Actionable Insights for Following This Topic
If you’re trying to keep up with how this specific brand of New York politics is evolving, don't just look at the big headlines.
- Watch the Bill Cycles: Keep an eye on the "Not on Our Dime!" Act's iterations. It likely won't pass in its original form, but the amendments tell you who is winning the internal Democratic battle.
- Check the Queens Local Papers: National news ignores the hyper-local stuff. Publications like the Queens Eagle or Astoria Post give a better sense of how Mamdani’s constituents actually feel about his alliances.
- Follow the Fringe: If you want to see where Weiss will appear next, Neturei Karta’s own websites and social feeds are usually very transparent. They want the attention.
- Separate Theology from Politics: When reading about Weiss, remember he isn't a "leftist." He’s a reactionary traditionalist. Confusing the two makes it impossible to understand why he does what he does.
The intersection of religious fundamentalism and radical progressivism is one of the weirdest features of the current political landscape. It shouldn't work. On paper, it makes no sense. But on the streets of New York, it's becoming a regular Tuesday.
Keep an eye on the upcoming primary seasons in New York. That is where the rubber meets the road. If Mamdani faces a serious challenger, his ties to figures like Weiss will be the central theme of the attack ads. Whether that hurts him or helps him depends entirely on how the demographics of Western Queens continue to shift.
The story isn't over. It’s just getting more complicated. If you're following the trajectory of New York's political soul, this is the specific, messy, uncomfortable place you have to look.