NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani called AIPAC 'monsters' at a Brooklyn rally with Bernie Sanders ahead of Democratic primaries for progressive congressional candidates who oppose the current administration's Gaza policies. This reflects Mamdani's broader push to reshape the Democratic Party on Middle East policy — six months into his tenure, his political strength is surging among the party's left wing. The rally included endorsements of candidates like Brad Lander, who Mamdani positioned as alternatives to incumbents he views as insufficiently progressive on Israel and Gaza.