logo
NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani doubles down on BDS support — won't say Israel has right to exist as Jewish state

NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani doubles down on BDS support — won't say Israel has right to exist as Jewish state

New York Post23-05-2025

Democratic socialist mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani doubled down on his support for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement against Israel — and refused to say the country as a right to exist as a Jewish state.
Mamdani stayed firm on his support for the Palestinian-led BDS effort, calling it a 'legitimate movement,' during a Q&A with Democratic primary candidates hosted by the UJA-Federation of New York on Thursday evening.
'My support for BDS is consistent with my core of my politics, which is non-violence,' the Queens assemblyman said when pressed by Jewish Insider's editor-in-chief, Josh Kraushaar.
'I think that it is a legitimate movement when you are seeking to find compliance with international law,' he said.
Advertisement
'The effectiveness of tactics of boycott, divestment and sanctions in order to motivate that compliance at the state level, on an individual level and that's where my support for it comes from.'
3 Zohran Mamdani has repeatedly come up second in poll after poll in the Democratic primary for mayor.
LP Media
The state Assemblyman from Queens said he believes Israel has a right to exist. But when pushed has to whether it should exist as a Jewish state, he carefully side-stepped.
Advertisement
'I believe Israel has a right to exist, and it has a right to exist also with equal rights for all,' he said.
Mamdani — the lefty Democratic Socialists of America-backed politician — was peppered with questions about his stance on Israel during the event from the UJA-Federation, a massive philanthropic group supporting the Jewish community.
The forum came just days after The Post unearthed a social media clip of the pro-Palestinian assemblyman leading a 'BDS' chant during a May 11, 2021, anti-Israel protest.
Despite Mamdani's open criticism of Israel, the lawmaker received a fairly warm welcome from those in attendance, according to recordings obtained by The Post, which, along with other press, was barred from entry at the door.
Advertisement
Those inside the event — which took place some 24-hours after a pro-Palestinian radical gunned down two innocent Israeli Embassy staff members in Washington, DC — described the security as 'wild,' as organizers revoked the tickets of several people.
During his roughly 20-minute appearance, moderators asked Mamdani about his remarks that if elected mayor, he would order the NYPD to arrest Benjamin Netanyahu if the Israeli prime minister ever set foot in the Big Apple.
'Ultimately, my position is one that I believe our city should be in compliance with international law,' Mamdani said, noting the International Criminal Court has issued a warrant for the Israeli leader, adding he'd have the same answer if he was asked the question about Russian President Vladimir Putin.
3 The DSA lawmaker has been criticized for his past comments about Israel recently.
Zohran Kwame Mamdani/Facebook
Advertisement
3 Earlier this week, a social media clip emerged of Mamdani leading a BDS chant.
Gina M Randazzo/ZUMA Press Wire / SplashNews.com
'What troubles me greatly is that Benjamin Netanyahu has also issued military commands from this very city when visiting it,' he said.
Mamdani campaign spokesman Andrew Epstein said the candidate has been 'consistent' in his beliefs regarding Israel.
'Zohran has been consistent in his belief that Israel has the right to exist, a responsibility to adhere to international law, and that he supports non-violent movements to ensure compliance with that law,' Epstein said in a statement Friday.
'He was heartened by the warm reception last night to his vision for a New York that's safe and affordable for everyone.'
Mamdani, who has repeatedly come up second in the polls vying for the Democratic nomination, behind ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo, has recently been dogged by his anti-Israel rhetoric
He faced blowback from the Jewish community for failing to sign onto a pair of resolutions recognizing Israel and the Holocaust — in what his campaign wrote off a procedural error.
Advertisement
The revelation came just days after he got the endorsement of anti-Israel ex-'Squad' Rep. Jamaal Bowman in the race for mayor of New York City, which represent the largest population of Jews outside Israel.
The lawmaker also pushed the 'Not On Our Dime Act,' which would have stopped New York non-profits from supporting any groups that are involved with West Bank settlements.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Six more Madleen Gaza humanitarian activists deported from Israel
Six more Madleen Gaza humanitarian activists deported from Israel

UPI

time24 minutes ago

  • UPI

Six more Madleen Gaza humanitarian activists deported from Israel

Six more activists from the Freedom Flotilla Gaza humanitarian aid mission aboard the Madleen boat were deported from Israel Thursday. Photo by Freedom Flotilla Coalition June 12 (UPI) -- Six more activists from the Freedom Flotilla Gaza humanitarian aid mission aboard the Madleen boat were deported from Israel Thursday. The Adalah civil rights center said six international activists Mark van Rennes of the Netherlands, Suyab Ordu of Turkey, Yasemin Acar of Germany, Thiago Avila of Brazil and Rva Viard and Rima Hassan both of France were being transported to Ben Guiron airport for deportation after being detained for 72 hours. Adalaha added that French nationals Pascal Maurieras and Yanis Mhamdi are the last remaining activists from the Madleen and are expected to be deported from Israel Friday. The Israeli Navy intercepted the Madleen while it was enroute to Gaza in international waters. Swedish activist Greta Thunberg was among the activists deported earlier this week. Eight of the activists challenged their detention while four waived their right to go before a judge and were deported immediately. Israel's Detention Review Tribunal found the naval blockade of Gaza is legal under Israeli law and therefore the activists were lawfully detained. The activists assert that their detention and deportations are violations of international law. According to the Adalah Center, the activists reported they were subjected to solitary confinement and their access to attorneys was restricted.

French doctor says Israeli authorities were ‘abusive' to Greta Thunberg
French doctor says Israeli authorities were ‘abusive' to Greta Thunberg

E&E News

time29 minutes ago

  • E&E News

French doctor says Israeli authorities were ‘abusive' to Greta Thunberg

Israeli authorities were abusive toward passengers of the humanitarian aid boat intercepted on its way to Gaza, which had on board Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, a French doctor has alleged. Baptiste André, who was on the boat, told reporters upon his return to France that while there were no acts of physical violence, he witnessed Israeli border agents mock and deliberately deprive passengers of sleep, in particular Thunberg. As soon as someone fell asleep, agents would turn up the music and dance, André claimed. Advertisement Detainees also had difficulty accessing food and water, he said.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store