House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) stated on Sunday that Zohran Mamdani, the winner of New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary, needs to actively confront the escalating anti-Semitism in the city.
During an appearance on ABC’s “This Week,” Jeffries took issue with Mamdani’s use of the term “globalisation of intifadas.”
“Using that phrase is not acceptable,” Jeffries remarked. “Moving forward, he’ll definitely need to clarify his viewpoint.”
He emphasized that, representing the Jewish community, it’s crucial for the candidate to demonstrate readiness in addressing the rise in anti-Semitism in New York.
This phrase has ignited significant debate, especially after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023. Many pro-Palestinian activists and Arabs interpret it as depicting Palestinians’ struggle for rights and freedom from Israeli control.
Conversely, numerous pro-Israeli activists and Jewish individuals see it as inciting violence against Jews, recalling the historical context of the First and Second Intifadas, which occurred in the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s. Meanwhile, ongoing uprisings in Palestinian territories and among Israeli Palestinians have resulted in substantial violence and loss of life on both sides.
Mamdani has been critiqued from various angles throughout his campaign regarding his views on Israel and accusations of anti-Semitism stemming from various statements. He had been a vocal opponent of Israel’s actions in Gaza and was previously urged to clearly affirm his support for Israel as a Jewish state.
Jeffries commented, “Regardless of whether you are a Democratic mayor or an independent one who leans Republican, your commitment must be to the safety and well-being of all New Yorkers. When there’s a crisis and a spike in anti-Semitic hatred, that’s definitely a critical issue that must be addressed.”
