Mamdani dodges on ‘globalize the intifada’
New York City’s Democratic mayoral nominee, Zohran Mamdani, recently faced backlash for his refusal to condemn the controversial phrase “globalize the intifada,” which is associated with violent uprisings. During an interview on ABC’s “This Week,” he maintained that he does not personally use the phrase, despite being criticized by House Minority Leader Hakeem jeffries, who has urged Mamdani to clarify his stance.
Mamdani has been accused of antisemitism due to his past comments and beliefs, particularly his support for policies such as boycotting Israel. In response to questioning from NBC’s “Meet the Press,” he emphasized his commitment to global human rights for all, including Israelis and Palestinians, but did not condemn the phrase in question. Rather, he argued against policing language, indicating that he would focus on showcasing his vision for the city through actions rather than speech.
The controversy continues as Mamdani prepares to meet with Jeffries for a deeper discussion on the issue. Amidst his political campaign, Mamdani has promised various progressive reforms, including freezes on rent and government-run grocery stores, while denying any labeling as a communist.
Mamdani dodges on ‘globalize the intifada’ as Jeffries demands he ‘clarify his position’ on phrase
New York City’s Democratic nominee for mayor, Zohran Mamdani, on Sunday repeatedly refused to condemn the phrase, “globalize the intifada,” during an interview despite insisting that he doesn’t personally use it.
On the same day, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) criticized Mamdani for defending the phrase, which refers to violent uprisings, during an interview on ABC News’s This Week.
Mamdani’s comments came on NBC News’s Meet the Press, where host Kristen Welker asked him whether he condemned the phrase now that he’s faced backlash over it. New York City has a large Jewish community, and he’s faced accusations of antisemitism over his refusal to condemn the phrase, in addition to his staunch anti-Israel stances including support for boycotting, divesting from, and sanctioning the country — a policy that studies show disenfranchises Jewish people.
“That’s not language that I use. The language that I use, the language that I will continue to use to lead this city, is that which speaks clearly to my intent, which is an intent grounded in a belief in universal human rights,” Mamdani said. “And ultimately, that’s what is the foundation of so much of my politics, the belief that freedom and justice and safety are things that, to have meaning, have to be applied to all people and that includes Israelis and Palestinians alike.”
Welker pressed Mamdani again to outright condemn the phrase. Instead, the mayoral candidate cited his conversations with Jewish New Yorkers and promised to combat antisemitism.
“I don’t believe that the role of the mayor is to police speech,” Mamdani said, then when pressed again on the phrase, added, “My concern is, to start to walk down the line of language and making clear what language I believe is permissible or impermissible, takes me into a place similar to that of the president, who is looking to do those very kinds of things, putting people in jail for writing an op-ed, putting them in jail for protesting. Ultimately, it is not language that I use. It is language I understand there are concerns about, and what I will do is showcase my vision for the city through my words and my actions.”
Jeffries in his interview said that “globalize the intifada” is “not an acceptable phrasing” and called on Mamdani to “clarify his position” on the phrase. Mamdani and Jeffries are slated to meet for a more substantive conversation in Brooklyn in the coming days.
JEFFRIES DISTANCES FROM MAMDANI: ‘NEVER HAD A SUBSTANTIVE CONVERSATION’
Some of Mamdani’s campaign promises are to boycott, divest from, and sanction Israel, freeze rent, stop cooperation with immigration enforcement, and provide free child care. Mamdani denied that he is a communist during the interview, despite his promise to open government-run grocery stores.
Mamdani won the nomination earlier this week as a socialist candidate. The 33-year-old defeated former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the election, which was determined by ranked choice voting.
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