Mamdani’s Hesitation on Controversial Phrase Draws Criticism
Zoran Mamdani, a candidate for mayor in New York representing the democratic socialist movement, faced backlash after he did not outright condemn the phrase “globalization of intifadas” during an NBC News appearance on Sunday.
This phrase is often interpreted as inciting violence against Jews, leading to outrage from Jewish advocacy groups. When questioned about his reluctance to engage in direct condemnation, Mamdani responded by emphasizing principles of justice and freedom that should apply to both Israelis and Palestinians.
“It’s not the language I use,” he stated. “The language I embrace guides my intentions, rooted in universal human rights beliefs.” He elaborated that freedom, justice, and security are concepts that should be inclusive to all, including both groups affected by the conflict.
Criticism of Mamdani’s democratic socialist platform intensified, especially regarding his viewpoints on Israel. In an interview with Tim Miller on “The Bulwark,” he was directly asked if phrases like “intifadas to globalize” and “river to sea” made him uncomfortable, reflecting the concern from Jewish advocacy groups.
Host Kristen Welker pressed Mamdani further about whether he denounced the term, but he sidestepped the question again. He mentioned having conversations with Jewish New Yorkers about rising anti-Semitism, referencing recent violent events in places like Washington, D.C., and Boulder, Colorado. This prompted him to advocate for a substantial increase in funding for anti-hate crime initiatives.
Mamdani defended his stance on free speech, asserting that the mayor’s role shouldn’t involve regulating speech. “I don’t think the mayor’s role is to police speech,” he explained, emphasizing the need for action to address bias instead of merely discussing language.
Despite Welker’s attempts to clarify his position further, Mamdani continued to deflect, suggesting that focusing too heavily on language could lead to an undesirable place, similar to the current presidential administration’s approach. He acknowledged the concerns surrounding certain phrases, yet reiterated that his focus should be on issues impacting the city.
On another note, Mamdani committed to enhancing funding for the city’s hate crime programs by 800% to combat anti-Semitism and secured the Democratic nomination, defeating former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo for the opportunity to lead the city.
