NYC mayoral wannabe Mamdani keeps struggling to defend 'globalize the intifada' rallying cry -- as even cross-endorser Lander piles on
Share this @internewscast.com

On Thursday, mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani faced ongoing challenges in defending the slogan “globalize the intifada,” amidst growing criticism, including from fellow Democratic candidate Brad Lander, who had previously co-endorsed him.

The usually smooth-talking Mamdani devolved into word salad as he maintained the phrase is not an incitement to violence against Jews.

“These words mean different things to different people, and my main point is that every New Yorker deserves safety, with my focus being on making this city more affordable,” Mamdani stated during a press conference.

“I’ve been clear that any incitement of violence is something that I’m in opposition to.”

The Democratic socialist’s hesitant reply followed his refusal to denounce the anti-Israel slogan, insisting instead that he interpreted it as a call to advocate for Palestinian human rights.

He also tried to downplay the term by noting the US Holocaust Memorial Museum used the Arabic word “intifada” to describe the 1943 Warsaw Ghetto Uprising by Polish Jews against the Nazis.

The museum slapped down Mamdani’s argument — as did his critics, who view the Queens state assemblyman as, at best, being blind to antisemitism.

Thursday’s backlash included Lander, the lefty city comptroller who last week vowed to rank Mamdani second on his ranked-choice city ballot — a pledge his friendly rival returned.

The pair’s cross-endorsement could carry weight in the ranked-choice voting primary, where voters pick up to five candidates in order of preference.

Even if a voter’s first choice is eliminated in successive rounds of ranked-choice calculations, their other picks – from second on down – could still be in the mix and emerge as the eventual overall winner with more than 50% of the vote.

Lander told the “Pod Save America” podcast Tuesday that the phrase “globalize the intifada” carries violent associations for Jews such as himself, especially after the recent assassination of two Israeli Embassy staffers and a Molotov cocktail-hurling wacko’s attack in Colorado.

“Maybe you don’t mean to say it’s open season on Jews everywhere in the world, but that’s what I hear,” Lander said of those who use the term.

“And I’d like to hear that from other people as well,” he said of his comments, implicitly knocking Mamdani. 

But Lander still insisted during the podcast that he doesn’t believe Mamdani is antisemitic — and noted his own problems with Israel’s war in Gaza and treatment of Palestinians.

He repeated his measured criticism Thursday of Mamdani’s defense of “globalize the intifada” and overall support of his rival’s character as he voted early in the primary.

“I believe that Zohran Mamdani is a person of decency and integrity, and I am therefore encouraging people to rank him number two,” Lander said.

“We do not agree on everything about Israel and Palestine, but I do believe that he will protect Jewish New Yorkers and our rights, and I was proud to rank him myself.”

Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who has seen his polling lead in the mayoral primary chipped away by Mamdani, didn’t miss the chance to lambast his opponent after a brief speech at a Bronx Juneteenth celebration.

Cuomo twice mispronounced Mamdani’s name — as he did during a recent debate, drawing an emphatic correction from his rival — while he accused him of “inciting violence against the Jewish community worldwide.

“He is divisive across the board,” Cuomo said.

Lander, during his podcast interview, argued it was Cuomo — not Mamdani — who failed to try to unite New Yorkers during that debate.

“I do not agree with him on Israel and Palestine on every issue, and that’s appropriate,” Lander said of Mamdani, before adding, “Cuomo did not try one iota to speak to Muslim New Yorkers or signal that he will bring people together.” 

Mamdani would be the first Muslim mayor of New York City, if elected.

— Additional reporting by Carl Campanile and Craig McCarthy

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
One-year-old girl with severe burns, hospitalized.

Devastating Photos of a Toddler with Severe Burns After Babysitter’s Neglectful Incident

A BABYSITTER was convicted after a baby in her care suffered extreme…
Photo of a young man with curly hair.

Family’s Heartfelt Tribute to Teen Lost in Crash: ‘He Brought Love to Everything,’ as 36-Year-Old Driver Sentenced

A GRIEVING family have paid a heartbreaking tribute to their “beautiful” son…
ICE arrests 65 illegal aliens in sanctuary state operation targeting gangs, transnational organized crime

ICE Detains 65 Undocumented Immigrants in Sanctuary State Operation Targeting Gangs and International Crime Networks

Jaime Timoteo Gonzalez-Moran, a 37-year-old undocumented immigrant from Guatemala residing in Norwalk,…
Walmart employee stocking frozen vegetables.

Walmart Alert: Check Lot Codes on Dinner Staple Sold in 13 States Due to Radioactivity Concerns

THE Federal Food and Drug Administration has warned Americans to avoid purchasing…
Zelensky and Putin at a meeting in Paris.

Why Does Putin Fear Zelensky? How Meeting the ‘Nazi Comic’ Turned Hero Could Highlight the Dictator’s Shortcomings

VLADIMIR Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky have only met in person once before.…
Texas' Republican-controlled House approves new maps to create more winnable GOP congressional seats

Texas House Passes New Maps to Boost GOP Congressional Wins

AUSTIN, Texas — On Wednesday, Texas Republicans initiated the process of approving…
Camp Mystic families push Texas leaders for safety reforms in wake of deadly Hill Country floods

Texas Families Urge Leaders for Enhanced Safety Measures After Fatal Hill Country Floods

Families who lost their children in the July 4 flooding at Camp…
Photo of Valeria Sollai.

Two Dead, Including a 62-Year-Old School Cook, After Eating Toxic Guacamole; Two Children Hospitalized and Recovering

TWO people have died and two children are recovering in hospital after…
Kristi Noem Paints Border Wall a Very Special Color—at the Request of President Trump

Kristi Noem Selects Unique Color for Border Wall After President Trump’s Request

Since taking on her role, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem…
Chicago Police Department leaders were warned of 'problematic patterns' with 1863 tactical team's traffic stops turned searches

Chicago Police Department Leaders Alerted to Concerning Trends in Traffic Stop Searches by the 1863 Tactical Team

CHICAGO (WLS) — When Limorris Bell was pulled over by Chicago police…
US military raid in Syria eliminates ISIS leader-in-waiting, key financier: officials

U.S. Military Raid in Syria Takes Out Potential ISIS Leader and Major Financier, Say Officials

The U.S. military carried out a raid in northern Syria on Tuesday,…
As hurricane season collides with immigration agenda, fears increase for those without legal status

Hurricane Season and Immigration Policies Fuel Rising Concerns for Undocumented Individuals

If a major hurricane approaches Central Florida this season, Maria knows it’s…