Mamdani Accuses Cuomo and Others of Islamophobia
During a recent statement, leading mayoral candidate Zoran Mamdani called out former Governor Andrew Cuomo and other political opponents for their Islamophobic remarks, labeling them anti-Semites due to their critical views on Israel. This accusation arose amidst ongoing attacks throughout the campaign.
Mamdani, a Democratic candidate, highlighted Cuomo, Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, and current Mayor Eric Adams in an impassioned speech, recalling how his own family faced anti-Muslim discrimination following the 9/11 attacks.
“In a time when bipartisanship seems to be fading, Islamophobia looks like one of the few things that everyone can agree on,” Mamdani mentioned to reporters outside the Islamic Cultural Center in the Bronx.
He became emotional when he said, “I want to speak to the memory of my aunt, who stopped taking the subway after September 11 because she didn’t feel safe wearing the hijab.”
This speech followed a radio interview where Cuomo laughed at a suggestion from host Sid Rosenberg that Mamdani might “support” another 9/11 event due to his Muslim background.
“Over the last few days, this has been the core message from Andrew Cuomo, Curtis Sliwa, and Eric Adams. Just yesterday, when that radio host made the comment about 9/11, Andrew Cuomo laughed and agreed,” he stated.
Mamdani also accused a socialist councilman from Queens of “slandering” Sliwa during their recent mayoral debate by implying he endorsed a “world jihad.”
He criticized Adams, who had supported Cuomo’s candidacy, for suggesting, “New York can’t be like Europe. Look at what’s happening in other countries because of Islamic extremism.”
“Adams compared me to violent radicals and falsely claimed that our movement was responsible for burning churches and harming communities,” Mamdani added.
If elected, Mamdani would become New York City’s first Muslim mayor but has faced accusations of anti-Semitism throughout his campaign.
In response, Cuomo criticized Mamdani, claiming he is merely playing the victim while being a perpetrator of anger within the Jewish community.
Spokesperson Daniel Kurzina for Sliwa countered that the Guardian Angels founder has worked closely with Muslim New Yorkers to ensure their safety. He also emphasized that leveraging allegations of Islamophobia for political gain is inappropriate and counterproductive.
“For 50 years, Curtis Sliwa has stood shoulder to shoulder with Muslim New Yorkers,” Kurzina reiterated.
Todd Shapiro, a spokesperson for Mayor Adams’ suspended campaign, claimed that Adams “firmly opposes all kinds of hatred, whether it’s anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, or any divisive ideology.”
Mamdani’s opponents criticized him for not outright condemning the phrase “Globalize the Intifada,” which many interpret as inciting violence against Jews, although he has said he does not support its use.
Furthermore, he faced backlash for calling Israel’s actions in Gaza “genocide” and expressed intentions as mayor to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a war criminal if he entered the area. He has also received criticism from various rabbis concerning his support for the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement regarding Israel.
Despite this, Mamdani reassured the Jewish community of his commitment to serve all New Yorkers as mayor and pledged to enhance funding for anti-hate violence programs from the current $3 million to $26 million.
