NOT HIDING IT: Zohran Mamdani Declines To Condemn ‘Globalize The Intifada’ (Video)

New York City mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani once again refused to directly denounce the phrase “globalize the intifada” during an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press” Sunday, but he pledged that he would be a leader who ensures the safety of Jewish residents if elected.

“That’s not language that I use,” Mamdani told Kristen Welker. “The language that I use and 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 recently shocked political observers with his primary win over Andrew Cuomo, the former governor of New York, in the city’s Democratic mayoral race. His unwillingness to reject the controversial slogan became a flashpoint in the final days of the campaign.

Rather than distancing himself from the phrase, Mamdani used his interview with Welker to highlight his platform’s focus on combating hate, stating that “we have to root out that bigotry” and referencing his proposal to significantly increase funding for anti-hate crime initiatives by 800 percent. In November, Mamdani will challenge current Mayor Eric Adams — and possibly face Cuomo once more if he re-enters the race.

“I’ve heard from many Jewish New Yorkers who have shared their concerns with me, especially in light of the horrific attacks that we saw in Washington, D.C. and in Boulder, Colorado, about this moment of antisemitism in our country and in our city,” Mamdani said. “And I’ve heard those fears, and I’ve had those conversations.”

The term “intifada,” historically linked to Palestinian uprisings against Israel starting in the late 1980s, has become highly controversial, especially when used in the slogan “globalize the intifada,” which many interpret as an endorsement of violence against Jews worldwide.

Despite the backlash, Mamdani has received key endorsements, including support from Representative Jerry Nadler, a Jewish Democrat who publicly endorsed him last Wednesday. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer congratulated Mamdani via social media, though he has yet to formally endorse his campaign. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, however, called on Mamdani to denounce the phrase just days ago.

Since emerging victorious in the primary, Mamdani has also been the target of xenophobic rhetoric, with prominent voices aligned with the MAGA movement invoking his Muslim background. “New York City has fallen,” Donald Trump Jr. posted on X last week.

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