Rabid Israel-Hater Zohran Mamdani Vows To Shut Down Technion’s New York Campus Over IDF Ties

In a stunning statement just days before New York City’s mayoral election, anti-Israel candidate Zohran Mamdani vowed to shut down the Technion’s presence in the city if he wins office — igniting outrage from Jewish leaders, business figures, and city officials. He said his administration would “move to terminate the Technion’s activity in the city due to its ties with Israel’s defense establishment.”

Mamdani specifically called out Cornell Tech, the joint Roosevelt Island campus created through a partnership between Cornell University and the Technion. He declared that “an Israeli institution involved in developing weapons for the IDF should not receive city benefits or funding.” His campaign confirmed that, if elected, Mamdani plans to review the partnership’s compliance with what he termed the city’s “values and human rights principles.”

Because the mayor holds the power to appoint members to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation board — which manages the island’s projects — Mamdani would be able to install individuals sympathetic to boycotts of Israeli institutions, potentially jeopardizing the Cornell-Technion alliance.

Cornell Tech was launched in 2017 after a competition initiated by Mayor Michael Bloomberg aimed at positioning New York as a global leader in technology and entrepreneurship. The winning bid — a collaboration between Cornell and the Technion — received land, tax incentives, and major city subsidies to attract investors, scientists, and startups.

Mamdani has opposed the project since its inception, claiming that it stands in violation of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement’s principles. “If we examine this partnership through the lens of BDS, it’s clear Cornell-Technion should be part of that conversation,” he argued. He also labeled the Technion “an Israeli university that helped develop weapons used by the IDF,” using that accusation to justify his stance against the institution.

His remarks triggered immediate backlash across the political and civic spectrum. Kathryn Wylde, CEO of the Partnership for New York City and a founding supporter of the Cornell Tech initiative, called the comments “alarming.” She added, “It’s hard to believe a mayoral candidate would challenge public support for an institution that has contributed so much to the city’s tech sector simply because it collaborates with an Israeli university.”

A onetime aide to Mayor Bloomberg condemned Mamdani’s rhetoric as “blatant antisemitism” and warned it could harm New York’s global reputation as an inclusive city. Critics across the city accused Mamdani of politicizing academic cooperation and threatening decades of progress in the city’s innovation economy.

Attempting to calm the outrage, Mamdani insisted that his opposition was not directed at Jews or Jewish institutions. He promised that Jewish cultural life in the city would continue under his administration. “I look forward to joining and hosting many community events celebrating Jewish life in New York,” he said. “Although I will not personally attend the Israel Parade, that should not be mistaken for refusing to provide security or necessary permits.”

He reiterated to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that his position stems from a broader principle. “I’ve been clear — I believe in equal rights for all people, everywhere. That principle guides me consistently,” Mamdani told the outlet.

Despite the controversy, Mamdani remains in the lead ahead of Tuesday’s election. Early voting turnout has already shattered records, surpassing 400,000 ballots — five times the figure from 2021. “The wealthy interests aren’t disappearing. There’s no room for overconfidence,” he warned supporters at a campaign rally, urging them to stay mobilized.

Meanwhile, a looming political rivalry may be taking shape on a larger stage. Congresswoman Elise Stefanik — a staunch ally of President Donald Trump and one of Mamdani’s fiercest critics — is reportedly preparing to run for governor in 2026. Stefanik has repeatedly branded Mamdani “pro-jihadist” and vowed to oppose his policies at every turn.

If both prevail, New York could find itself sharply divided between an anti-Israel Democratic mayor in City Hall and a pro-Israel Republican governor in Albany — setting the stage for a fierce showdown over state funding, policy cooperation, and the city’s relationship with Jewish and Israeli institutions.

{Matzav.com}