Jewish leaders have called on Stephen Colbert, host of a late-night talk show, to question Democratic socialist mayoral candidate Zoran Mamdani regarding his refusal to denounce “the globalization of the Intifada” along with his strong anti-Israel sentiments.
Mamdani, alongside fellow candidate Brad Lander, was expected to appear on CBS’s “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” on Monday night, just before the Democratic primary.
Activists reached out to Colbert prior to the broadcast, urging him not to treat Mamdani and Lander with kid gloves, especially considering the show’s New York audience, which has a significant Jewish community.
The letter, which the Post got hold of, stated, “Since October 7th, 2023, our community has witnessed a troubling trend impacting Jewish safety and the future in cities with large Jewish populations.”
“In recent days, Mamdani has declined to condemn calls for the ‘globalization of intifadas’ that have circulated for at least a decade,” it continued.
For many Jews and mainstream authorities, this phrase is seen as a call to violence, echoing two waves of brutality from the late 1980s to around 2000, which involved terror attacks in public spaces such as cafes and nightclubs.
The letter was signed by Elisha Wiesel, son of the late Holocaust survivor and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Eli Wiesel, who mentioned, “I learned to trust the threat of the enemy more than a friend’s promise.”
Other notable signatories included former Anti-Defamation League president Abraham Foxman, Daniel Rosen, president of the American Jewish Congress, and Andres Spocconey, CEO of the Jewish Funding Network.
Duvi Honig, founder of the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce, Rabbi Yaakov Berman, and Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz were among others who supported the letter.
Advocates mentioned that Mamdani, who is also a young rapper, had referenced “five so-called holy sites,” and spoke of individuals linked to Hamas, the terrorist group responsible for numerous attacks against Israel.
The activists are urging Colbert to address Mamdani’s use of the term “intifada,” and how he has praised the “Holy Land 5.” They assert that failing to ask these questions would be a serious oversight that could humiliate many Jewish Americans by giving Mamdani a platform without challenge.
Colbert was also cautioned not to let Lander evade scrutiny. Both candidates will be recognized in the upcoming ranked-choice primary.
Lander characterized the term “globalization of Intifada” as an encouragement for “a Jewish open season,” yet Mamdani continues to support him.
In a recent interview, Mamdani reiterated his stance by refusing to denounce the inflammatory phrase. He remarked that the slogan “holds different meanings for different people” and stressed that it isn’t part of his usual vocabulary.
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“I don’t think it’s the mayor’s role to regulate language at this time,” he stated, as he is the first Muslim candidate for mayor.
He acknowledged the fears and concerns of Jewish New Yorkers, promising to work to ensure their safety if elected, particularly addressing the “real crisis of anti-Semitism.”
