J Street president Jeremy Ben-Ami expressed concern over Zohran Mamdani’s approach to Israel-Palestine issues following Mamdani’s primary victory. At Bowdoin College, Mamdani founded the school’s chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and enforced an “anti-normalization” policy, blocking collaboration with Jewish groups like J Street. This stance clashed with Ben-Ami’s efforts to foster unity between progressive pro-Palestinian activists and center-left Jews.
Ben-Ami emphasized the need for a “bridge” between factions amid rising anti-democratic forces, stating, “We need to stay together for the larger fight.” However, Mamdani’s leadership at Bowdoin saw SJP reject joint initiatives with J Street, even after a 2012 collaboration on an education event. The group later abandoned further ties, citing its policy of avoiding groups that support Israel.
J Street, founded in 2007 as a “pro-Israel, pro-peace” organization, has faced criticism for defending activists like Mamdani while opposing Zionist groups. The organization’s press officer contributed to Mamdani’s campaign, though J Street did not formally endorse him. Ben-Ami acknowledged the controversy surrounding Mamdani’s use of the phrase “globalize the intifada,” calling it “repugnant” but acknowledging its symbolic significance for Palestinian advocates.
Mamdani has faced scrutiny for his rhetoric and refusal to condemn the term, which he described as a call for equality in Palestinian rights. J Street’s efforts to reconcile divisions highlight tensions within progressive circles over Israel-Palestine policies.