Mamdani to 'Discourage,' Not Condemn, 'Globalize the Intifada'

Democrat leaders in Congress have reportedly been able to push New York Democrat mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani to at least "discourage" the antisemitic "globalize the intifada" mantra – albeit stopping short of calls to condemn it.

After public admonishments from Jewish Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., Mamdani told a private New York business leaders meeting that he will not spread the "globalize the intifada" propaganda and will "discourage" others from using it, The New York Times reported.

Past remarks refusing the condemnation of that antisemitic speech have damaged the Mamdani campaign in New York's Jewish community and led to tepid support with congressional Democrats.

Schumer and Jeffries have yet to endorse their fellow Democrat, potentially fearing a backlash from Jewish voters in their state.

Schumer had a meeting Monday with Mamdani, who extended the olive branch to business leaders Tuesday.

"What 'globalize the intifada' means is really wrong and should be condemned, and I look forward to my discussions with Mr. Mamdani," Schumer had said before Monday's meeting.

President Donald Trump and conservatives have repeated noted fully condemning antisemitic hate speech is the "easiest thing" to do, although it remains something Mamdani has not done.

Mamdani had told NBC's "Meet the Press" that "globalize the intifada" was "not language that I use," but he refused to discourage others from using it.

"I don't believe that the role of the mayor is to police speech," he told NBC, sparking condemnation from Jewish voters, Republicans, and some Democrats.

Notably, Mamdani overcame once-popular New York Democrat Andrew Cuomo in the Democrat mayoral primary, forcing Cuomo to run in the general election as an independent along with incumbent New York City Mayor Eric Adams.

Democrats, fearing a split vote of their deep blue New York City stranglehold, fear Mamdani losing a tight race in a city that had grown accustomed to running away in low turnout elections.

Now, Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa is hailing a HarrisX poll this week that has him in a statistical tie with Mamdani and Cuomo atop the field of independent also-rans.

Mamdani's Tuesday meeting with 150 New York City business leaders did not sit well with everyone.

"Today's meeting made it clear to me that I need to do everything in my power to make sure Zohran Mamdani does not become mayor of New York City," C Street Advisory Group's Jon Henes told the Times. "His complete lack of executive experience, his naïve understanding of how the world works and his rigidly ideological views, including socialism, would be dangerous for the city's future."

• Jeffries: Mamdani Must Clarify 'Globalize Intifada'
• Jewish Congressional Dems Voice Concerns About Mamdani