By Jacob Kornbluh September 18, 2025Andrew Cuomo, who has long defended Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, keeps clarifying his comments about the conflict. During the primary, Cuomo aggressively courted New York City’s 700,000 Jewish adults, who historically make up about 16% of the Democratic primary vote, with a strong pro-Israel pitch. A recent Marist poll showed Mamdani and Cuomo each with 35% support among Jewish voters in November’s general election. Cuomo said he believes Jewish voters, those who trend centrist on Israel and are wary of Mamdani’s statements on Israel, will respond to the stark contrasts he is drawing. But Mamdani’s base won’t tolerate a change in his positions on Israel, Cuomo said.