Leonid Elizarov
Interview with Rafael Nektalov, Editor-in-Chief of The Bukharian Times, on the results of New York’s mayoral election. Journalist Leonid Elizarov speaks with him.
Leonid Elizarov: Rafael, New York is in shock: its new mayor is a 34-year-old Muslim from Uganda, a socialist, and a staunch supporter of Palestinian independence. Is this the end of the world?
Rafael Nektalov: Don’t exaggerate. Fortunately, America is a country where even the apocalypse follows the law. So everyone packing their bags can relax. Mamdani isn’t a pharaoh, just a mayor—appointed not by God, but by the election commission. And remember, he hasn’t even been inaugurated yet.
L.E.: But he’s an open opponent of Israel!
R.N.: We survived Obama, didn’t we? It’s no secret that almost a quarter of Mamdani’s Jewish electorate voted for him! And not just the ultra-Orthodox anti-Zionists like Neturei Karta, but also secular, young voters—those who fall for populist slogans: free transportation, affordable housing, price freezes. Young people still don’t understand that the louder the campaign promises, the less chance they’ll be fulfilled.
L.E.: “Free transport, cheap housing, blah blah blah.” But doesn’t that mean some Jews voted against Israel?
R.N.: That’s how it might look from Israel. But Jews here voted for personal comfort—that’s a classic American story. People don’t elect a “friend of Israel”; they elect the person promising Wi-Fi in the subway and free parking. New York voted for itself. We must stop thinking of New York as a branch of Jerusalem. You know, dear colleague, at the Israel Solidarity Parade on Fifth Avenue, you’ll find all kinds of Jews standing next to pro-Palestinians—and among those marching for Israel there are almost no Israelis and, sadly, hardly any Bukharian Jews.
L.E.: That is upsetting. What will happen to the parade—and to the whole Jewish community—now that the city’s leader holds such views?
R.N.: Panic is a bad adviser. Mamdani can’t “take over” New York; the city doesn’t have the budget. Without federal and state subsidies, it can’t function. In other words, without Trump and Congress, Mamdani won’t even be able to repaint a bus. Try governing with leftist slogans when every extra dollar the city needs has to be approved by the Senate. Mamdani’s first real fight won’t be with Zionists, but with accountants.
L.E.: Still, it’s strange that such an election was even possible…
R.N.: That’s the price of democracy. Did you know that in New York you don’t have to show a passport to vote? So we get what we get: lots of newcomers, lots of slogans—and democracy without identification. New York is a free city, sometimes too free. But! There’s the Trump factor.
L.E.: How so? Mamdani has already cheekily challenged him—“turn up the volume, can’t hear you!”
R.N.: Experts say the former state assemblyman will face many other challenges. He’s proposed raising $10 billion by increasing taxes on wealthy corporations and the top one percent of earners. But for that, he’ll need the governor’s approval.
L.E.: But didn’t she support Mamdani?
R.N.: Not on this. Democrat Kathy Hochul faces a tough re-election fight next year and hasn’t endorsed his tax plan. Trump ally Elise Stefanik has already announced her run for the Republican nomination for governor. Trump could further complicate Mamdani’s plans if he cuts federal funding for New York. Last year, the city received 7 percent of its budget—$8.5 billion—from Washington.
L.E.: How is the Jewish community reacting?
R.N.: In different ways. Some are drafting their political wills; others shrug and say, “We survived de Blasio—we’ll survive Mamdani.” The truth lies somewhere in between. New York has always been a Democratic city. Over the years, its mayors have been Italian, Jewish, German, African American… The mayor here is no monarch, just a manager with limited powers. I don’t understand why Mamdani’s opponents focus so much on his Muslim origins. Karl Marx was also born Mordechai—apparently on Purim!
L.E.: And how did the Bukharian Jews vote?
R.N.: Splendidly! They turned out in force. Such political enthusiasm hasn’t been seen since Trump’s election. That’s what’s truly interesting: we Bukharian Jews have lived in New York a long time, yet haven’t really entered city politics. We vote enthusiastically for president but lazily for our city council member, congressional representative, or state assemblyman. Yet those local levels determine whether we get grants, community programs, and spaces for our people. During Andrew Cuomo’s campaign, attorney Ruben Davidoff made a strong impression with fiery speeches, drawing on his experience as a Soviet Jew under communism. Promising figures include David Aronov, Yuhan Benyaminov, Diana Rachnaev, Leo Jacobs…
L.E.: So it’s time we stop being spectators?
R.N.: Exactly! I keep saying: New York is a Jewish city—but only the loudest voices are heard. We complain often but rarely participate. For example, I suggested to some leaders that we invite Mamdani to our community before the election. They looked at me as if I’d invited Satan to Shabbat. But if we had spoken with him directly, we might have heard something quite different from what the papers say. In Israel, even the Orthodox parties have sometimes supported left-wing candidates.
L.E.: Mamdani in our Center? That does sound bold.
R.N.: Boldness is part of democracy. Mamdani is a leftist, a socialist, a populist—but not a jihadist. His base isn’t mosques; it’s young people, students, renters. He rode the public mood skillfully. We could have used that situation to our own advantage—not by cozying up to him, but by showing who we are and reminding him that he must also heed our voters’ concerns.
L.E.: “Fisfasnu,” as they say in Hebrew. (“We blew it.”) What awaits the city next?
R.N.: The same as always: traffic, taxes, and hope. Plus one big opportunity—for us. The Jewish community of New York must stop fearing politics. We have people who are listened to—community leaders, businesspeople. It’s time we ourselves became local-level stars, not once every four years but every day. For instance: we elect judges constantly, yet our community has over 200 lawyers—and not one has ever run for judge. That’s an important position!
L.E.: Do you personally believe Mamdani poses no threat to Jews?
R.N.: I believe in the system. America survived Obama, Bill de Blasio (and the citywide riots), 9/11, and the Covid years. We’ll survive Mamdani too. America has canned bigger bulls. The main thing is to stop fearing his name—and start remembering our own.