BERNIE’S GUY: Zohran Mamdani Says ‘Globalize The Intifada’ Is Expression of Palestinian Rights

Zohran Mamdani, who is among the leading contenders in the upcoming Democratic primary for New York City mayor, declined to denounce the controversial slogan “globalize the intifada” during an appearance on The Bulwark podcast released Tuesday, Jewish Insider reports. Mamdani – who has been endorsed by socialist and self-hating-Jew Bernie Sanders – argued that the phrase is a reflection of Palestinian calls for justice.

When asked by host Tim Miller about the use of such language, particularly in connection to antisemitism on the political left, Mamdani framed the phrase as a statement of solidarity with the Palestinian cause. “To me, ultimately, what I hear in so many is a desperate desire for equality and equal rights in standing up for Palestinian human rights,” Mamdani said. The Queens assemblyman, who has consistently taken anti-Israel positions, noted, “And I think what’s difficult also is that the very word has been used by the Holocaust Museum when translating the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising into Arabic, because it’s a word that means struggle.”

Mamdani, identifying as a Muslim and reflecting on his personal experiences after 9/11, argued that Arabic terminology is often mischaracterized. “As a Muslim man who grew up post-9/11, I’m all too familiar in the way in which Arabic words can be twisted, can be distorted, can be used to justify any kind of meaning,” he said.

Although he did not explicitly weigh in on whether such rhetoric should be deemed acceptable, Mamdani stressed the importance of ensuring safety for the Jewish community. “I think that’s where it leaves me with a sense that what we need to do is focus on keeping Jewish New Yorkers safe,” he said, acknowledging that antisemitism is a “real issue” he intends to confront as mayor. “The question of the permissibility of language is something that I haven’t ventured into.”

Throughout the race, Mamdani has drawn scrutiny for his position on Israel. He has refused to affirm the legitimacy of Israel as a Jewish state and pledged to divest from Israel if he becomes mayor — positions that have caused concern among many in the Jewish community.

Andrew Cuomo, who currently leads in the polls, has sharply criticized Mamdani’s stance and made combating antisemitism central to his campaign. Addressing the slogan in question, Cuomo said it is a dangerous message. He warned, “Such phrases are giving license to come after Jews.”

In recent weeks, major Jewish organizations, including the UJA-Federation of New York, issued a call for clarity from all mayoral hopefuls. They urged candidates “to unequivocally condemn dangerous rhetoric — such as ‘globalize the intifada’ — that has inspired deadly acts against Jews, most recently in Colorado, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania.”

{Matzav.com}