While Mamdani has a long record of anti-Israel activism, Rapaport has emerged since October 7 as one of the most vocal pro-Israel figures in American entertainment
Jewish actor and outspoken pro-Israel advocate Michael Rapaport announced over the weekend that he plans to run for mayor of New York City in the 2029 election, positioning himself as a blunt, confrontational alternative to the city’s incoming leadership and drawing a sharp contrast on Israel and antisemitism.
Rapaport said on social media that as a native New Yorker who was born and raised in the city, he intends to “take New York back and put it in the hands it belongs in — the hands of New Yorkers.” He expanded on the announcement in a profanity-laced tirade during an episode of the I Am Rapaport Stereo Podcast, declaring, “I will be running for Mayor of New York in a few years.”
He said he was making the announcement now because, in his words, “in a couple of hours, Zohran the Moron will be stepping in as the Mayor of New York, and I’m not going to sit back and wait for what this bulls**t artist, two-bit con man is going to do. I am taking action.”