Mamdani doubling down on ‘intifada' comment as Mayor candidates vote early
NEW YORK (PIX11) – Candidate for Mayor and Queens Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani is doubling down on his explanation of a term many Jewish New Yorkers view as a rallying cry to attack Jewish people.
While casting his ballot in Astoria, Queens, Mamdani doubled down on his explanation of the term 'globalize the intifada.'
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It is a term many Jewish people, and even the U.S. Holocaust Museum, say is a rallying cry to kill Jews.
Mamdani said he has heard those concerns and does not tolerate antisemitism. He said he would protect Jewish New Yorkers if elected Mayor and increase anti-crime funding.
But Mamdani maintains the phrase continues to mean a struggle for basic human rights for Palestinians and many Muslims.
'I've been clear time and time again, there is no room for violence in the city and in the country,' Mamdani said. 'My point is not that this is language that I use… the meaning of these words have many different meanings to many different people.'
Mamdani said former governor Andrew Cuomo and the billionaires backing his Super PAC have weaponized antisemitism in the closing days of the campaign.
During a wide-ranging conversation with Cuomo, PIX 11's Henry Rosoff asked him about that.
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'I have not said anything, these are his words,' Cuomo responded. 'Globalize the Intifada is a vulgar and brutal expression to the Jewish people.'
Meanwhile, in Brooklyn, while casting his vote, Comptroller and Mayoral candidate Brad Lander—currently the highest-ranking Jewish city official—weighed in.
Lander is standing by his cross-endorsement of Mamdani.
'We are not going to agree on everything Israel and Palestine, but I do believe he will protect Jewish New Yorkers and our rights,' Lander said.
PIX 11's Henry Rosoff went one-on-one with former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who is leading in the polls in the Democratic Primary for New York City Mayor.
Cuomo was pressed on how he would rapidly build affordable housing, recent controversy around Zohran Mamdani's explanation of the term 'globalize the intifada,' the brief ICE detention of Comptroller Brad Lander, and a recent conversation he had with Governor Kathy Hochul.
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