Mahmood Mamdani, the father of New York City socialist mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, sits on the advisory council of an anti-Israel organization that supports boycotts and sanctions of Israel, accusing the Israeli government of ‘genocide’ in Gaza. The Gaza Tribunal, founded in London in 2024, aims to ‘awaken civil society to its responsibility and opportunity to stop Israel’s genocide in Gaza,’ according to its website. Mahmood Mamdani is listed as a member of the group’s ‘advisory policy council’ and attended its official launch in London last year. Richard Falk, the president of the tribunal, has outlined the group’s support for BDS, aiming to legitimize and encourage civil society solidarity initiatives around the world.
Zohran Mamdani has also promoted the BDS movement, expressing support for economic isolation of Israel as part of his political platform. However, his stance has drawn widespread criticism from Jewish groups in New York City, who have expressed concerns over his past comments and positions. The tribunal’s founder, Richard Falk, has a long history of anti-Israel views, with past accusations of spreading unsubstantiated allegations against Israel. Falk, a former United Nations Special Rapporteur, has faced backlash for equating Israel’s actions with those of Nazi Germany, a comparison that led to criticism and opposition from the Israeli U.N. Ambassador Itzhak Levanon.
The tribunal’s advisory council includes other controversial figures such as Sami Al-Arian, a former University of South Florida professor who was convicted for conspiring to aid the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror group, and Jeremy Corbyn, the former UK Labour Party leader, who has been labeled antisemitic due to his past statements. The group’s members also include individuals with histories of antisemitic posts on social media, raising concerns about the organization’s legitimacy and intentions. Zohran Mamdani’s stance on Israel has been a central issue in his mayoral campaign, sparking debate over his policies and their implications for New York City’s political landscape.