Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic mayoral candidate in New York City, faced public criticism from MSNBC host Donny Deutsch on Monday for refusing to condemn the controversial phrase ‘globalize the intifada.’ During a live interview, Deutsch expressed outrage that Mamdani, who previously defeated establishment favorite and former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, would not distance himself from the term, which he linked to violence and terrorism. ‘That’s the connotation, that’s the essence of it, and that’s what it means to Jewish people,’ Deutsch said, citing the October 7 terrorist attacks, as well as the Boulder, Colorado attacks, to underscore the phrase’s offensive implications.
Mamdani, a democratic socialist, argued that he does not believe the mayor should become the arbiter of acceptable speech, instead emphasizing a focus on policy and the promotion of universal human rights. He defended his stance by stating, ‘I don’t believe that the role of the mayor is to police speech.’ In an interview with NBC’s ‘Meet the Press,’ Mamdani reiterated his position, asserting that his vision for the city would be conveyed through his words and actions rather than through a directive to censure specific language. He stated, ‘Ultimately, it is not language that I use.’
The controversy has drawn the attention of other prominent figures as well, with Hakeem Jeffries, a member of Congress, calling for Mamdani to ‘clarify his position’ on the phrase. Similarly, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand urged a public condemnation of the rhetoric that has sparked significant debate. The political implications of the controversy are far-reaching, especially as the mayoral election approaches, with many New Yorkers now weighing the significance of Mamdani’s stance on a divisive issue. However, as of now, Mamdani’s campaign has not responded to calls for a formal clarification or condemnation of the phrase, leaving the situation without a resolution.