New York City mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani is under fire for condemning the phrase “globalizes the intifadas,” drawing a comparison to the Warsaw Ghetto uprising during the Holocaust.
In a recent interview with Tim Miller on Bluwork, Mamdani shared his views on the matter.
Many advocates for Palestinian rights see the phrase as a reference to their struggle against Israeli occupation, while some believe it incites violence against Zionists and Jews who support Israel’s existence.
“What I hear from a lot of people is a deep desire for equality and recognizing Palestinian human rights,” he stated. He further noted the sensitive usage of such terms in Holocaust Museums, where the Warsaw Ghetto uprising is translated into Arabic to mean “struggle.”
Mamdani seemed to reference the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C.
However, the museum quickly responded to his comments, typically an uncommon move concerning political matters. They labeled the comparisons as “outrageous and particularly offensive for survivors,” via a post on social media.
The term “intifada” literally means uprising in Arabic, but it evokes memories of the first and second intifadas in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, which were marked by significant violence.
Nonetheless, pro-Palestinian activists argue that they employ the phrase solely to signify the liberation of Palestine.
The Warsaw Ghetto Uprising occurred during World War II when Polish Jews resisted Nazi oppression.
In response to the backlash, Mamdani asserted at a Wednesday press conference that “there is no room for anti-Semitism in this city and in this country.” The event aimed to rally support for former candidate Maya Wiley’s campaign.
“Being labeled anti-Semitic is painful for me, especially because I deeply value the Jewish community in this city,” he added.
Throughout his campaign, Mamdani has faced scrutiny over his views on Israel, including accusations of anti-Semitism linked to his statements. He has openly criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza but was previously challenged to firmly express his support for Israel’s rights as a Jewish state.
“I support Israel’s right to exist with equal rights,” he clarified in a media interview. “I’m not comfortable endorsing a nation that upholds a hierarchy based on religion; equality should be universal.”
Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, a frontrunner in the race, criticized Mamdani for his remarks about the intifada, suggesting they could be misinterpreted. He urged all candidates to denounce them.
“It’s not just wrong—it’s dangerous,” he stated in a post. “Given the rise in anti-Semitism and violence against Jews, it’s clear that words matter.”
During the press event, he also addressed the unique challenges he faces as a Muslim candidate in the political landscape.
“I receive messages like ‘Only a good Muslim is a dead Muslim.’ That’s threatening not just to me but to my loved ones,” he remarked.
“What I’m most proud of in this campaign is that we bring together people of all faiths to build a stronger community across all boroughs,” Mamdani emphasized.
He refuted the attacks from other candidates, suggesting they were politically motivated rather than authentic concerns.
“Anti-Semitism is a genuine issue in our city, and it’s disheartening to see it used as a political tool by candidates who don’t sincerely wish to tackle it but rather use it to gain points,” he said.
