Mayoral Candidate Zohran Mamdani Faces Criticism Over Rally Cry

Candidate Zohran Mamdani continued to face mounting criticism after declining to denounce the phrase “globalize the intifada,” which supporters used at a rally. His defense of the slogan drew sharp disapproval from fellow Democrats, including Brad Lander, who endorsed Mamdani but publicly expressed concern.

During a recent press conference, Mamdani insisted that the phrase has varied meanings for different people and emphasized his commitment to safety and affordability in New York City. He reiterated his opposition to any form of violence but still stood by his decision not to denounce the rallying cry.

The controversy intensified as Mamdani argued that the term “intifada,” used by the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum to describe the 1943 Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, shows the phrase’s broader historical context. Critics, however, accused him of failing to recognize the anti-Semitic implications of the rallying cry, with some viewing his stance as indifferent to anti-Semitism.

Brad Lander, despite criticizing Mamdani’s remarks, still plans to rank him second on his primary ballot, where ranked-choice voting will play a significant role. Lander acknowledged Mamdani’s integrity and expressed confidence that he would protect Jewish residents of the city, even amid disagreements over Israel and Palestine policies.

Amid the debate, former Governor Andrew Cuomo also criticized Mamdani, accusing him of inciting violence and dividing the city. During a Bronx Juneteenth celebration, Cuomo misspoke his name twice, further highlighting the campaign tensions. Lander commented that Cuomo failed to unite diverse communities during recent debates, contrasting Mamdani’s efforts to engage Muslim New Yorkers with Cuomo’s approach.

As the primary approaches, Mamdani’s stance on sensitive topics continues to shape his campaign, with supporters and opponents closely watching his responses.