Concerns Arise Over Mamdani’s Rhetoric

Jewish Democratic leaders have expressed growing worries about the statements made by New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani. They suggest that his comments may contribute to rising antisemitism—even though he is part of the same political party.

Mamdani, who identifies as a Democratic socialist, has encountered criticism for not condemning the phrase “globalize the intifada” and failing to recognize Israel as a Jewish state.

The slogan “globalize the intifada” serves as an anti-Zionist rallying cry that advocates for global support for Palestinian resistance against Israeli occupation. The American Jewish Committee has noted that such statements foster a perception leading people to take action against supporters of Israel worldwide.

Before narrowly defeating former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic mayoral primary, Mamdani opted not to reject the phrase, instead asserting his commitment to “protect Jewish New Yorkers” should he be elected in the November vote.

“I’ve heard from many Jewish New Yorkers who have shared their concerns with me, particularly in light of the horrific attacks in Washington, D.C., and Boulder, Colorado, regarding the rise of antisemitism here and across the nation,” Mamdani remarked. “I understand those fears, and I’ve engaged in these conversations.”

Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), the first female Jewish member of Congress from Florida, has voiced her worries since Mamdani’s rise to prominence.

“His unwillingness to denounce ‘globalize the intifada’ shows a troubling neglect for the seriousness of antisemitism and terrorism. Anyone I care about would distance themselves from him as much as possible,” Wasserman Schulz expressed. “It’s deeply concerning and could prove dangerous.”

“When a prominent candidate legitimizes rhetoric that could incite violence, it’s simply unacceptable,” she continued. “His lack of understanding of this issue indicates he’s not ready for leadership.”

Jewish Democratic Representative Brad Schneider (D-Ill.) also accused Mamdani of misleading the public regarding the nature of “globalize the intifada.”

“In my view, he’s mistaken on these points,” added Representative Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.). “If he fails to recognize ‘globalizing the intifada’ as antisemitic, he’s clearly exacerbating the issue rather than alleviating it.”

Additionally, Mamdani faced backlash from a Jewish advocacy group when a video he shared surfaced. The video featured two men “cosplaying Jews” and mocking Hanukkah.

“Zohran Mamdani posts Indian men impersonating Jews, turning dreidels and lighting the menorah. Our traditions are sacred and not a source of amusement,” criticized the group Stop Antisemitism. “This is appalling.”

Antisemitism has been gaining ground in the United States, especially in response to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which intensified following attacks in October 2023.

Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, face international charges of war crimes, which they have vehemently denied, calling the allegations antisemitic.

Netanyahu condemned the charges as an “historic moral outrage,” arguing that they unjustly equate Israeli leaders with Hamas militants, likening them to “modern-day Dreyfus trials” aimed at tarnishing Jewish reputations.

The Gaza Health Ministry has reported around 60,000 Palestinian deaths since the conflict escalated, claiming that over half are women and children. However, this figure has been met with skepticism, as it does not distinguish between civilians and combatants.

Critics argue that the Health Ministry’s statistics lack credibility due to Hamas’s influence, and Israel has restricted international journalists from entering Gaza to report independently on the situation, creating a humanitarian crisis and allegations of war crimes.

UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini called such restrictions “unprecedented” in contemporary conflicts, labeling them a “ban on the truth” that fosters misinformation. A leaked Israeli report indicated that a percentage of UNRWA staff in Gaza have ties to Hamas.