For Gen Z voters, Gaza was a defining issue in the New York Democratic primaries

For many young New Yorkers, the Democratic primaries were about far more than housing, affordability or public safety.

Across the city, Gen Z voters rallied behind candidates who condemned Israel's genocidal war on Gaza, helping propel three progressive Democrats endorsed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani to primary victories.

New York City Comptroller Brad Lander and community activist Darializa Avila Chevalier respectively unseated Dan Goldman, and five-term incumbent Adriano Espaillat, while state assemblywoman Claire Valdez beat an opponent who had the backing of much of New York City's Democratic establishment.

All three belong to the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and campaigned on platforms that would have been considered well outside the Democratic Party's mainstream only a decade ago.

Several young Democratic voters told Middle East Eye that the horrors Israel continues to unleash in Gaza meant New Yorkers couldn't back candidates who took a soft position on Israel.