NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani doubles down on BDS support — won't say Israel has right to exist as Jewish state
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 has a right to exist as a Jewish state.
Mamdani stayed firm in 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. '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.'
The state assemblyman from Queens said he believes Israel has a right to exist. But when pushed on whether it should exist as a Jewish state, he carefully sidestepped.
'I believe Israel has a right to exist, and it has a right to exist also with equal rights for all,' he said.
Mamdani — a 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.
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.
'There is no justification for this violence,' Mamdani said. 'Our Jewish neighbors deserve to live in safety and security and free of antisemitism.'
During his roughly 20-minute appearance, moderators also 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 that he'd have the same answer if he was asked the question about Russian President Vladimir Putin.
'What troubles me greatly is that Benjamin Netanyahu has also issued military commands from this very city when visiting it,' he said.
Neither Israel nor the US are members of the 125-member state ICC, meaning local courts would have no jurisdiction to arrest Netanyahu if he came to New York City.
Republican leaders have slammed the ICC's arrest warrant for Netanyahu as outrageous and unlawful. In February, President Trump signed sanctions into effect via executive order targeting ICC officials, employees and their immediate family members with financial penalties and visa restrictions.
Mamdani's remarks about the BDS movement, meanwhile, appeared to reference United Nations reports that have claimed Israel's warfare methods in Gaza were consistent with war crimes and genocide, in violation of international law.
NYC socialist mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani under fire for 'disrespecting' firefighters
NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani doubles down on BDS support — won't say Israel has right to exist as Jewish state
Zohran Mamdani trashed Barack Obama as 'pretty damn evil' in resurfaced, pro-Edward Snowden tweets
NYC mayoral candidates band together to de-throne frontrunner Cuomo: 'We are all running … to defeat Andrew Cuomo'
NYC mayoral candidate leads 'BDS' chant, bashes officials for traveling to Israel in resurfaced clip
Netanyahu has slammed the United Nations' Human Rights Council's findings as untrue and antisemitic.
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 as a procedural error.
The revelation came just days after he got the endorsement of anti-Israel ex-'Squad' member Rep. Jamaal Bowman in the race for mayor of New York City, which is home to the largest population of Jews outside Israel.
The lawmaker also pushed the 'Not On Our Dime Act,' which would have stopped New York nonprofits from supporting any groups that are involved with West Bank settlements.
— Additional reporting by Gabrielle Fahmy
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


UPI
25 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.


E&E News
29 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.

34 minutes ago
Israel considering military action against Iran in coming days: Sources
Israel is considering taking military action against Iran in the coming days, according to three sources familiar with the situation. The sources were not aware of a specific U.S. role in an Israeli strike on Iran, though it is possible the U.S. could play a logistical role and share intelligence with Israel that could be used for such a strike.