Governor Criticizes NYC Mayoral Candidate for Not Condemning Antisemitic Rhetoric

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has publicly criticized Zohran Mamdani, the New York City Democratic mayoral candidate, for failing to denounce antisemitic comments made by some of his supporters. Shapiro emphasized the importance of clear moral stance when addressing hate speech, stating, “You have to speak and act with moral clarity, and when supporters of yours say things that are blatantly antisemitic, you can’t leave room for that to go unchallenged.”

Mamdani, a socialist legislator known for his progressive views, recently faced backlash over his past statements and associations with the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel. Despite winning his primary, Mamdani has been criticized for his refusal to condemn inflammatory slogans like “Globalize the intifada,” a phrase frequently used by anti-Israel groups. Following discussions with Jewish officials, he has stated he now discourages the use of this phrase.

The controversy has drawn support from prominent figures, including Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who urged Mamdani to explicitly denounce the incitement if he aims to represent New York City. Gillibrand remarked, “He should denounce it. And that’s it. Period.”

Shapiro pointed out that Mamdani’s campaign strategy appeared to rally strong support from many New Yorkers but also created space for extremists to use or not condemn antisemitic language. The governor’s remarks highlight ongoing divisions within the Democratic Party regarding support for Mamdani amid concerns over his stance on Israel and extremist rhetoric.

As Mamdani endeavors to secure broader party backing, top Democratic leaders in New York, including Governor Kathy Hochul, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, have yet to endorse him officially. Their cautious approach reflects the delicate balance within the party amidst the controversy.