Mamdani argued that an Israeli institution involved in developing military technologies should not receive city funding or incentives.By Gila Isaacson, JFeedZohran Mamdani, the anti-Israel Muslim candidate leading the race for New York City mayor, has declared that if elected, he would seek to halt operations of the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology in the city, citing its connections to Israel’s defense establishment.Mamdani specifically targeted the joint campus of the Technion and Cornell University on Roosevelt Island, known as Cornell Tech. In statements from his campaign, he argued that an Israeli institution involved in developing military technologies should not receive city funding or incentives.The announcement, made days before Tuesday’s election, aligns with Mr. Mamdani’s longstanding support for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, or B.D.S., which seeks to pressure Israel over its treatment of Palestinians. He has said the Cornell-Technion partnership should be examined “through the lens of BDS,” describing the Technion as “an Israeli university that helped develop weapons used by the IDF.His campaign confirmed intentions to reassess Cornell’s collaboration with the Technion, evaluating whether it aligns with the city’s values on human rights. As mayor, Mamdani could appoint members to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation, the body overseeing the island and its projects, potentially placing allies in positions to advance boycotts against Israeli entities.The Cornell Tech campus opened in 2017 after winning a global competition initiated by former Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. Aimed at positioning New York as a hub for technological innovation, the project paired Cornell with the Technion, renowned for its engineering and science programs. The city provided substantial subsidies, including land on Roosevelt Island, tax exemptions and billions in infrastructure investments, viewing it as a boost to the local economy.Mamdani has opposed the initiative from its inception. His remarks have drawn sharp rebukes from city officials, Jewish community leaders and business figures. Katherine Wylde, chief executive of the Partnership for New York City and a member of the committee that helped establish Cornell Tech, called the proposal “alarming,” saying it was difficult to believe a mayoral candidate would undermine public funding for an institution contributing to the city’s tech sector growth solely because of its Israeli partnership.A former aide in Mr. Bloomberg’s office described Mamdani’s comments as “blatant antisemitism” and warned of potential harm to New York’s international reputation.Despite the criticism, Mamdani has sought to assure the city’s Jewish community that he harbors no intent to harm it. He pledged not to cancel the annual Israel Day Parade, stating: “I look forward to joining and hosting many community events celebrating Jewish life in New York and our city’s rich Jewish history and culture. While I will not participate in the Israel Day Parade, let there be no mistake, my non-participation is not a refusal to provide security or the necessary permits for its safety.”In response to questions from the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, he added: “I’ve been very clear, I believe in equal rights for all people, everywhere. This principle guides me consistently.”The Technion pledge fits into a broader pattern of anti-Israel positions Mamdani has articulated, including backing BDS, calls to sever ties with companies operating in Israel, refusal to recognize Israel as a Jewish state and demands to dissolve the New York-Israel Economic Council created by Mayor Eric Adams.He also promotes his “Not on Our Dime” legislation, which would revoke tax-exempt status from nonprofits donating to entities beyond the 1967 Green Line, and aims to revise the city’s definition of antisemitism to exclude anti-Zionism. Last month, he vowed to arrest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel “the moment he sets foot in New York.”Mamdani maintains a lead in polls as early voting shatters records, with nearly 400,000 participants, five times the number in 2021. He urged supporters against complacency, noting: “The moneyed interests don’t disappear. There’s no room for complacency.”Yet a new challenge looms: Representative Elise Stefanik, a Republican and ally of former President Donald J. Trump, is expected to announce a 2026 gubernatorial bid shortly after the election. Ms. Stefanik, who has labeled Mamdani “pro-jihadist,” could emerge as a key rival. If both prevail, the state might witness clashes between an anti-Israel mayor and a pro-Israel governor, potentially leading to delays, disputes and strained ties with Israeli institutions and communities in New York.The post Mamdani pledges to close Israeli-linked campus appeared first on World Israel News.