Mamdani Increases Support for BDS Movement
Zoran Mamdani, an aspiring democratic socialist mayor, has notably intensified his backing for the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel. During a recent Q&A session in New York, he declined to acknowledge Israel’s claim to exist as a Jewish state.
During the event, which was organized by the UJA Union, Mamdani reiterated his support for the Palestinian-led BDS movement, calling it a “legal initiative.” He explained, “My support for BDS aligns with the principle of non-violence at the core of my political beliefs,” while answering questions from Josh Kraushal, the editor-in-chief of Jewish Insider.
He added, “I think it’s a legitimate strategy for encouraging adherence to international law.” Notably, he cited the effectiveness of boycott and sanction tactics to spur state compliance, emphasizing their impact on an individual level.
The Queens-born legislator acknowledged that he believes in Israel’s right to exist but faced questions about whether it should exist specifically as a Jewish nation. “I think Israel has a right to exist, and everyone should enjoy equal rights,” he said, although his tone suggested hesitation.
Mamdani, who identifies as a leftist, found himself under scrutiny regarding his position on Israel while speaking at the forum hosted by the UJA Federation, a major organization supporting the Jewish community.
This discussion came shortly after a report surfaced of a pro-Palestinian parliament member leading a BDS chant during a protest against Israel in May 2021. Despite Mamdani’s critical remarks about Israel, he received a warm welcome at the event, although access was restricted to the press, as noted in a recording obtained by the Post.
Attendees described the event’s security as “intense,” especially given the recent violent incident involving the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C., which led organizers to cancel tickets for several individuals.
During his roughly 20-minute appearance, Mamdani was asked about his past statement regarding ordering the NYPD to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should he visit New York. “Ultimately, my stance is that our cities need to comply with international law,” he responded, referencing a warrant from the International Criminal Court for Israeli leaders and indicating he would give the same answer concerning Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Mamdani expressed concern that Netanyahu had issued military directives from New York during past visits. His campaign spokesperson, Andrew Epstein, mentioned that Mamdani remains consistent in his views on Israel, emphasizing both Israel’s right to exist and its responsibilities under international law.
Epstein added that Mamdani was heartened by the positive response to his vision for a safe and affordable New York for everyone.
Despite being a frequent second-place candidate in polls for the Democratic nomination, Mamdani has faced criticism from the Jewish community, particularly for not endorsing resolutions that recognize Israel and the Holocaust.
This comes just days after he received the backing of former anti-Israel councilor Jamal Bowman in his mayoral campaign for New York, a city with a significant Jewish population. Additionally, lawmakers are advocating for a measure to prevent New York nonprofits from funding groups involved in West Bank settlements.
