On Saturday afternoon, thousands of demonstrators marched through midtown Manhattan, expressing support for Gaza and calling for a “global intifada.” This rally stirred concerns, with some deeming the phrase as inciting violence against the Jewish community.
The protesters held banners urging for an end to aid for Israel, while chants like “Freedom, free Palestine” and “Palestine will live forever” resonated in the streets.
Following the Hamas attacks in southern Israel on October 7, 2023, the term “globalization of intifadas” has been perceived by many as a rallying cry for anti-Semitic violence.
Zohran Mamdani, running for mayor in New York City and identifying as a democratic socialist, has faced scrutiny for not condemning this phrase. When questioned about it, he remarked that it didn’t align with the “language” he typically uses, emphasizing his focus on presenting his vision for the city through his words and actions.
A bipartisan bill recently proposed by U.S. officials seeks to denounce the term as a “call to violence against Israel and Jews worldwide.” Rudy Yakim, one of the bill’s proponents, asserted that it should be self-evident to condemn such phrases, remarking that too many individuals seem caught up in political posturing rather than addressing the truth. He noted that Jews and Israelis should not have to fear for their safety because of their beliefs.
Jewish activist Gottimer echoed these sentiments, linking the term to historical acts of terrorism that have claimed numerous Jewish lives. He argued that promoting this term invites violence against Jews, saying this kind of hate speech is unacceptable and should be universally condemned.
The law also refers to violent incidents against American Jews, including a fatal attack on pro-Israel protesters in Boulder, Colorado, and a shooting of Israeli embassy staff in Washington, D.C. If passed, the resolution would label the chant as a dangerous call for violence and dissuade leaders from endorsing or participating in it.
