While the war in Israel and Gaza is dividing Americans, the issue could similarly cause a rift within New York’s Working Families Party.

NY1 has exclusively learned that the small but influential political party is considering endorsing legislation that would bar charities in the state from supporting Israel’s military or settlement activity on disputed land in the Middle East, like the Gaza strip.

The controversial “Not on Our Dime” act is sponsored by Queens Democratic Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani. Sources told NY1 that Mamdani answered questions during a party convention held in Astoria, Queens on Saturday, July 20.

Afterwards, some party members took a verbal vote, approving the measure to go before party higher-ups, who have final say over whether they officially endorse the bill.

Political consultant Ryan Adams is a dues-paying WFP member, he argues that New Yorkers are already split over the Israel-Hamas war and the “Not on Our Dime” act won’t help tensions.

“The question is, are people who are progressive that have qualms about this bill — because there are certainly a lot of issues with it — will they fight back?” he asked. “I think whenever you have a bill that say there’s a lot of bad actors out there in the world but let’s focus on the Jews first, you get into a really weird scenario where it’s like: explain to me how this isn’t antisemitic? We need to hold China accountable, Russia accountable, we need to hold a whole host of states in Africa accountable.”

The WFP has yet to make a final call.

“The New York Working Families Party works every single day to improve the lives of working families who are struggling to make ends meet, and advance a more just country and world,” New York’s party co-directors Jasmine Gripper and Ana Maria Archila said in a joint statement.

They said party members convened “to make critical, time-sensitive decisions given the national political cycle.”

“Among the many issues discussed, the party considered support for A6943A/S06992A, also known as ‘Not On Our Dime,’ legislation in Albany that will stop New York State subsidizing the siege in Gaza and the immense loss of human life there and across the West Bank. The ultimate decision on the party’s position on this legislation — and our legislative priorities — rests with the party’s officers and will not happen until later in the year,” they continued.

The body also green-lit support for the Equal Rights Amendment, and rallied support for the Democratic presidential nominee during the convention.

The WFP’s candidate endorsement list is broad, including candidates from both sides of the political spectrum. Their endorsement is often sought by Democrats seeking to run on multiple ballot lines. It’s also one of just two minor parties that kept their ballot access following changes made to in 2020.

“Democrats have to win these marginal races and the WFP is doing them no favors whatsoever by bringing up issues that are not gonna go anywhere and seek to divide people at a time when we should be coming together,” Jason Elan, a political consultant at Actum LLC, said.

Elan worked for several Long Island Democrats, including former Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, who ran on the WFP’s ballot line in 2015. Elan argues the WFP’s past positions on certain controversial topics, like being pro-defund the police, hurts Democrats.

“The WFP brand is toxic. It would actually hurt Democrats more than help,” he added.

Although Mamdani declined an on-camera interview with NY1, he said in a statement he is “thankful that the Working Families Party took the time to consider the ‘Not On Our Dime’ act, legislation that is more urgent than ever given the proliferation of N.Y. charities funding Israeli war crimes across the West Bank and Gaza.”

“There’s a lot of problems in the world and I think a lot of progressives who have reservations about this bill rightfully say: I am not pro-genocide, I am not pro-any organization that uses taxpayer funds inappropriately, but this bill is not making it clear why we have to target this specific thing,” Adams said.

The bill does not have wide support in the state legislature. Previously, representatives for both Democratic legislative leaders told NY1 that the body does not consider bills that concern international issues.

“It’s not something we’re considering,” Mike Whyland, a spokesman for Democratic Bronx state Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, said of the legislation Wednesday.

It’s also opposed by pro-Israel groups and some lawmakers in the state legislature, which has further intensified after the Oct. 7 attacks. However, the measure has been endorsed by the New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.