NEW YORK (VINnews) — New York State Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs acknowledged on Monday, that opposition to Israel played a significant role in last week’s Democratic primary results, saying the issue energized progressive voters and benefited candidates aligned with Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the Democratic Socialists of America, as first reported by the New York Post.

Jacobs said the Israel-Gaza conflict became a motivating issue in the low-turnout primaries, helping propel victories by Darializa Avila Chevalier over Rep. Adriano Espaillat and former New York City Comptroller Brad Lander over Rep. Dan Goldman, both of whom had generally supported Israel during the war in Gaza.

The Anti-Defamation League said the results reflected growing acceptance of anti-Israel rhetoric within parts of the Democratic Party, while pollster Bradley Honan said opposition to Israel appeared to energize many of the voters who participated.

Jacobs also rejected claims that Israel is committing genocide or operates as an apartheid state, while acknowledging that Israel has become an increasingly divisive issue within the Democratic Party.