New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani is facing intense backlash over a bill he authored that would impose steep fines — starting at $1 million — on Jewish groups and individuals who donate to Israeli charities deemed “unauthorized” under his proposal.
The bill, titled the “Not on Our Dime! Act,” was introduced by Mamdani in 2023 while serving as a state assemblyman. It targets New York-based nonprofit organizations that provide financial support to Israeli entities accused of aiding settlement activity in disputed territories, including Judea and Samaria — referred to in the bill as the “West Bank” and “occupied territories.”
The legislation would effectively criminalize donations to prominent humanitarian organizations such as United Hatzalah and ZAKA, both of which are known for their emergency response services, as well as the One Israel Fund, which supports security, medical, and educational infrastructure for Israelis living in Judea and Samaria.
The bill defines “unauthorized support” as assisting Israeli civilians or the Israeli government in activities that include land acquisition, property defense, or emergency preparedness in areas Mamdani classifies as “occupied.” It also includes provisions penalizing any financial support that could be linked to “violence committed by Israeli citizens” or “the unilateral annexation of land.”
Mamdani’s bill has been endorsed by prominent left-wing lawmakers, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), both of whom have campaigned alongside him in recent months.
The proposed legislation was quickly condemned after its introduction by lawmakers across party lines. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins both stated it would not come to a vote. A bipartisan group of 25 New York legislators signed a joint letter slamming the bill as an attack on Jewish charities and an attempt to inflame divisions.
“The bill is a ploy to demonize Jewish charities with connection to Israel. It was only introduced to antagonize pro-Israel New Yorkers and sow divisions within the Democratic party,” the letter read.
Mamdani, a self-declared Democratic Socialist, defeated disgraced former Governor Andrew Cuomo to secure the Democratic nomination for mayor of New York City. His rise — marked by radical rhetoric, support for the anti-Israel BDS movement, and calls to dismantle capitalism — has alarmed New York’s business leaders and Jewish communities alike.
Critics argue that Mamdani’s proposal not only undermines religious freedom and charitable giving but also paves the way for politically motivated financial targeting of religious organizations with ties to Israel. With growing unease over his anti-Israel platform and confrontational stance toward American allies, Mamdani’s candidacy is becoming a flashpoint in the broader battle over the future of New York City’s leadership.