Mamdani expected to shift stance on ‘globalize the intifada’ phrase
Zohran Mamdani, a socialist candidate running for New York City mayor, is expected to moderate his previous defense of the controversial phrase “globalize the intifada,” which is considered anti-Jewish and has drawn significant criticism.This anticipated shift aims to broaden his appeal ahead of the November general election against incumbent Eric Adams and former governor Andrew Cuomo, both running as independents. Mamdani,who recently won the Democratic primary,faces challenges winning over centrist voters and gaining support from prominent Democrats concerned about his past stance on the phrase,which many view as inciting violence against Jews. Though Mamdani claims he does not use the phrase and has sought dialog with Jewish communities, critics demand a stronger condemnation. Recent reports indicate he privately discouraged the phrase in a meeting with business leaders, signaling a possible change in approach. The Jewish electorate, making up about 13% of New York City voters, remains a key demographic amid rising antisemitic incidents in the city.
Mamdani expected to shift stance on ‘globalize the intifada’ phrase
Zohran Mamdani, the socialist candidate campaigning to become New York City’s next mayor, is expected to shift away from his controversial defense of the phrase, “globalize the intifada.”
Mamdani will likely adopt a more moderate positioning on the anti-Jew expression as soon as this week, according to Politico, a move that could broaden his appeal to the electorate and add momentum to his campaign against incumbent Democratic mayor Eric Adams, who is running for reelection as an independent. Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has also stayed in the race on an independent line.
Mamdani, also a state representative in New York, made waves when he pulled off an upset victory against Cuomo during the Democratic mayoral primary last month.
However, Mamdani still faces a tough battle to win over centrist voters ahead of November’s general election as he attempts to pull those skeptical of his unapologetic embrace of socialist policies into his camp. And many Democratic power players in his own party, including Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY), continue to hold the mayoral candidate at arm’s length, with New York heavyweights like Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) expressing particular unease over Mamdani’s stance on the phrase “globalize the intifada,” an expression commonly used by anti-Israel demonstrators that calls for violence against Jews.
The reports that Mamdani is expected “to publicly refine his position” on the expression come as he hits Washington, D.C., alongside fellow progressive champion Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) in a bid to gain the support of skeptical Democrats like Schumer and Jeffries.
In recent weeks, Mamdani has noted he personally does not use the phrase and has met with Jewish communities in an attempt to assuage concerns that he is antisemitic or sympathizes with anti-Jewish movements. Still, criticisms have lingered over the socialist candidate’s repeated refusal to condemn the phrase, an expression he says he hears as “a desperate desire for equality and equal rights in standing up for Palestinian human rights.”
In addition to his defense of the phrase, his association with a left-wing influencer who said “America deserved 9/11” on the campaign trail and his past praise for a group convicted of funding terrorism have come under scrutiny.
On Tuesday, Mamdani reportedly took a step away from the phrase in a private meeting with a group of influential business leaders, according to the New York Times, which wrote that Mamdani would “discourage” the use of the language.
But his cagey stance continues to earn him calls from critics ahead of the general election to publicly condemn the expression.
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“Many Jews believe it is the bare minimum for Zohran to go beyond distancing himself personally from language like ‘globalize the intifada,’” an aide to a Jewish elected official told the outlet. “He must proactively be clear that language that incites violence against Jews simply isn’t acceptable, from anyone, in the city he wants to lead.”
The warnings come as Jews make up a powerful voting bloc in the Big Apple, accounting for around 13% of active registered voters. Their votes could be particularly important this year as data shows an uptick in antisemitic attacks in the city. Last year, the New York City Police Department reported that 54% of all hate crimes in New York City were against Jewish New Yorkers, per the mayor’s office. And the NYPD’s most recent data indicates hate crimes against Jews accounted for over 60% of incidents during the first quarter of 2025.
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