New York Mayoral Candidate Refuses to Condemn Controversial Phrase

New York Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani has come under fire for his refusal to directly condemn the controversial phrase "globalize the intifada," which is widely viewed as a call to violence against Jews. Jewish advocacy groups expressed outrage over Mamdani's reluctance to denounce the term during an NBC News interview. When pressed on the issue, Mamdani avoided a clear rejection and instead emphasized his commitment to universal human rights, stating that his language would align with principles of justice and freedom for all people, including Israelis and Palestinians. Mamdani's stance has drawn criticism, particularly for his defense of free speech and his assertion that he would not "police speech" as mayor. He argued that his focus should be on addressing hate through action rather than regulating language. However, Jewish New Yorkers have expressed concerns about rising antisemitism in the city, prompting Mamdani to pledge an 800% increase in funding for anti-hate crime programs to combat the issue. Despite his efforts to address concerns, Mamdani's refusal to explicitly condemn the phrase has drawn sharp criticism from Jewish groups and others who argue that his inaction sends a troubling message about his stance on antisemitism.

Published: 6/30/2025