New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani has shifted his stance on a divisive phrase that has haunted his campaign for months. His recent reversal on "globalize the intifada" during a private meeting with business leaders signals a calculated pivot amid mounting criticism.
According to Fox News, Mamdani told over 140 business leaders at the Partnership for New York City that he would no longer use the slogan and would discourage others from doing so. This change of heart, he explained, stemmed from a conversation with a Jewish woman who shared how the phrase evoked painful memories of violence.
For months, Mamdani had dodged calls to condemn the phrase, which the American Jewish Committee defines as a call for a global uprising against Israel. His refusal to denounce it had fueled tensions within Democratic circles and drawn sharp rebukes from Jewish advocates and political opponents alike.
This about-face at Rockefeller Center, first reported by The New York Times, marks a departure from Mamdani's earlier insistence on not policing language. It’s a pragmatic move, but one that raises questions about whether it’s driven by genuine reflection or political necessity.
Contrast this with his competitor, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who didn’t mince words, calling Mamdani’s initial stance "not only wrong, but dangerous." Cuomo’s blunt assessment, paired with his assertion that "there are no two sides here," underscores the raw nerve this issue has struck in New York’s political landscape.
Yet, while Mamdani’s retreat might placate some critics, it’s unlikely to erase the skepticism of those who see this as a convenient sidestep. A slogan tied to pro-Palestine protests on college campuses carries baggage that a single meeting can’t unpack.
Down in Washington, D.C., at a closed-door event hosted by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the phrase didn’t even make the agenda. When asked by Fox News if Mamdani’s new position was discussed, Ocasio-Cortez simply replied, "No, that did not come up."
Other Democratic lawmakers, including Rep. Debbie Dingell, echoed this silence, with Dingell expressing frustration that the topic wasn’t broached during the breakfast meeting focused on digital campaign strategies. She hinted at broader concerns, noting her awareness of people who "care deeply about Israel" while also worrying about humanitarian crises abroad.
Reps. André Carson and Jerry Nadler also confirmed the issue wasn’t raised, leaving a void where national party voices might have weighed in. This omission suggests a reluctance to engage with an issue that splits even the progressive wing of the party.
Mamdani’s campaign has long been a lightning rod, with the slogan amplifying divisions over Middle East policy within Democratic ranks. While Ocasio-Cortez, an early supporter, praised his insights on campaign techniques, her call for others to "get to know him" before judging feels like a polite dodge of the deeper rift.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, both New York heavyweights, have yet to endorse Mamdani despite plans to meet with him soon. Their hesitation speaks volumes about the tightrope Democratic leadership is walking on this issue.
Even as some national Democrats, like Rep. Adriano Espaillat, have backed Mamdani after initially supporting Cuomo in the primary, the lack of unified support hints at unease. A self-described Democratic socialist aiming to be the city’s first Muslim and millennial mayor carries symbolic weight, but also polarizing potential.
As Mamdani recalibrates his message, the broader implications for his mayoral bid remain unclear. Walking back a slogan is one thing; rebuilding trust with communities who felt alienated by it is another challenge entirely.
The tension surrounding "globalize the intifada" mirrors larger debates about free expression versus the weight of historical trauma. Mamdani’s pivot might be a step toward bridging that gap, but it’s a step taken under intense scrutiny from all sides.
Ultimately, this episode reveals the delicate balance New York City’s next leader must strike in a diverse, opinionated metropolis. Mamdani’s journey from defiance to discouragement of the phrase shows a willingness to adapt, but whether it’s enough to quiet the storm remains to be seen.
