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[cbabe]

1. Critics say Zohran Mamdani is antisemitic. He says he's holding Israel accountable.

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/22/critics-say-zohran-mamdani-is-antisemitic-he-says-hes-simply-holding-israel-accountable-00416388

Critics say Zohran Mamdani is antisemitic. He says he’s holding Israel accountable.

By JASON BEEFERMAN
06/22/2025 10:00 AM EDT
Updated: 06/24/2025 03:49 PM EDT

…

Below is a list of Mamdani’s comments on Israel that have stoked controversy, and how Mamdani has responded.

… more …

[Bettie]

51. Ah, that's what they're in a lather about

anything that might hold Israel (or Netanyahu) accountable for anything, ever, is automatically dismissed as antisemitism, because, um, reasons.

[SSJVegeta]

2. Literally his two top supporters were Jewish

Last edited Wed Jun 25, 2025, 12:14 PM - Edit history (1)

Good grief.

Edited: (Bernie Sanders and Brad Landers)

[stopdiggin]

5. which clearly doesn't erase or explain away - a whole list of questionable and

troubling statements he has to his credit.

(Now, certainly, different people can look at these things and decide, "Meh .. just doesn't bother me that much." But - to pretend that those words, or corresponding 'issues', don't exist ... Nah. Doesn't really work.)

[SSJVegeta]

7. Hes made clear what those things meant and what he meant by them

They were explained away the minute they came around.

He said nothing "troubling" outside of the inappropriate and misleading implications they were racist.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100220426976

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

55. 100+ ...

Some always try to put down progressive populism instead of embracing what is sure to become a winning strategy... if only we would try it for once!!

[TexLaProgressive]

54. I am anti- antisemetic

I believe Israel and Palestine have a right to exist. I rather think that Netanyahu and the Likud party leaders would do the people of Israel and Palestine a favor by taking a one way trip to the Grand Canyon. That goes for Hamas and other Palestinian radicals.

But that might pollute the river.

[choie]

81. And yet he's our Democratic nominee

So stop the bullshit.

[Mosby]

20. Like who?

The vast majority of NY jews, both democratic and republican are not supporters of Mamdani.

Show the reciepts.

[BannonsLiver]

21. Source: Trust me, bro.

[SSJVegeta]

26. Source: Brad Landers and Bernie Sanders, bro

[BannonsLiver]

39. Had to google Brad

Still “trust me bro” adjacent. But I hope your day gets better.

[SSJVegeta]

42. They were both major endorsements in his campaign, so a little more than "trust me bro"

Have a wonderful day, yourself!!

[SSJVegeta]

27. Brad Landers and Bernie Sanders

[Mosby]

36. Landers and Mamdani cross endorsed each other

As some sort of unscrupulous attempt to help their respective campaigns.

As for Bernie, he claims he's not part of any organized religion.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/bernie-sanders-finally-answers-the-god-question/2016/01/26/83429390-bfb0-11e5-bcda-62a36b394160_story.html

https://forward.com/opinion/383621/bernie-sanders-should-just-keep-his-mouth-shut-on-the-high-holidays/

Note, this is before Beinarts antisemitic brain worm.

[SSJVegeta]

37. Bernie's family was literally put in concentration camps.

You know that Judaism isnt just a religion, right? If anybody has a right to talk about bigotry and anti semitism, it's definitely him.

Also Landers still supports Mamdani.

[SSJVegeta]

43. I think if half your family was killed for being Jewish, you probably count

[Mosby]

45. He didn't know his family history until he was on a tv show.

Bernie Sanders lost family in the Holocaust. The Nazi flag at his rally was personal.

He didn’t know much about the history until he appeared on the PBS show ‘Finding Your Roots,' hosted by Henry Louis Gates Jr.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2020/03/06/bernie-sanders-holocaust-nazis-flag-family/

[SSJVegeta]

46. Bernie: "I'm very proud to be Jewish."

?si=wa213pt4AJWyM52Y


Strange you think losing family you dont know makes your family history less painful or significant. I mourn my grandfather every day. Particularly because I should have been able to meet him, but couldn't due to a tragedy 20 years before I was born. I cant imagine it's different for anybody else, even for aunts and uncles. You see the loss in your parents' faces your entire life.

[Ping Tung]

62. Does "ethno" make it Nationalist religion?

Like Saudi Arabia and some other ME countries?

If only the dogmatic purists could follow reason instead of a cruel God .

[Mosby]

64. No, it refers to matralineal/patralineal descent

Which are basically biblical anachronisms, though they are still followed, especially with Cohanes and Levites.

"Am Yisrael" is the concept that focuses on the collective identity and national aspect of the Jewish people. Its the precursor of Zionism.

[Ping Tung]

76. Is Zionism Nationalistic or xenophobic?

According to the "Principles" you posted are "ethnic" Jews considered to be "Jewish" even if they don't follow al the dogma and embrace the idea of a 2 state solution as some like Bernie Sanders does?
https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/news-sanders-statement-on-netanyahus-recent-comments-rejecting-two-state-solution/

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu recently said, “In any future arrangement…Israel needs security control of all territory west of the Jordan,” adding that, “I told this truth to our friends, the Americans…the prime minister needs to be able to say no, even to our best friends.”

Prime Minister Netanyahu is right – we do need to be able to say NO to our friends. He has made his position clear: He will never allow a Palestinian state, ever. He will continue his devastating war against innocent Palestinian men, women, and children. He will block the food, water, and medical supplies needed to prevent mass starvation and sickness.

Now, we must make our position clear.

Despite the illegal and inhumane actions of Netanyahu’s government, President Biden has thus far offered unconditional support to Israel. That must change. President Biden must now loudly and clearly say NO to the policies of Netanyahu’s right-wing extremist government. That is what a true friend of Israel must do in this moment.

And Congress must act. There must be no more U.S. military aid to Israel to continue Netanyahu’s war. Humanitarian aid must be immediately allowed to reach those in need. A safe release of all remaining hostages must be negotiated. Israel must work towards a lasting peace that allows two states for two peoples.

If Netanyahu continues down the path of military domination, he must do so alone. The United States cannot be complicit.

[choie]

84. Just STOP

I am so tired of hearing this crap. Mamdani is New York City's Democratic candidate for mayor. Stop calling everyone who may support Palestinians an antisemite.

[Samael13]

47. So the i have black friends excuse

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

53. Seriously!! Could it be the slogan he's thinking of is "our dreams can create reality??"

Are you ready?!

[SocialDemocrat61]

3. If he were critical of the government of Italy

I wouldn't consider him anti-Italian.

[SSJVegeta]

9. +10,000

[Beastly Boy]

11. But that's not what he criticized.

What if he were to call for a globalized violence against unspecified Italian interests abroad?

[SocialDemocrat61]

12. But he didn't call for violence against anyone

[Beastly Boy]

14. Intifada, in the context of globalizing it, IS a call for violence

Falling back on its dictionary definition outside the context in which the term had been used for decades, is a blatant, and all too awkward, attempt at plausible deniability.

[SocialDemocrat61]

15. Yes let's ignore the definitions of words

when it doesn’t fit our prejudices.

[sarisataka]

18. That is a very ironic statement given the English definition

intifada
noun
in·​ti·​fa·​da ˌin-tə-ˈfä-də
plural intifadas
: UPRISING, REBELLION
specifically : an armed uprising of Palestinians against Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intifada#:~:text=noun,West%20Bank%20and%20Gaza%20Strip

intifada
noun [ C ]
US /ˌɪn.tɪˈfɑːdə/ UK /ˌɪn.tɪˈfɑːdə/
Add to word list
a violent act of opposition by the Palestinian people to the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/intifada#google_vignette

[SocialDemocrat61]

22. "English" definition

As opposed to the actual Arabic definition. Mamdani explained what he meant by the statement and that’s good enough for me.

No one is asking you to vote for him or even like him. But don’t ask me not to.

[uponit7771]

48. You ****KNOW**** the context is different

[sarisataka]

59. The question is not so much what do I think he means

Last edited Wed Jun 25, 2025, 02:34 PM - Edit history (1)

But what do others hear when he say Globalize the Initfada

I think of the Democratic Socialist's rally on October 8th that celebrated the murder rape and kidnappings of Jews the day before as "resistance"
I think of the recent murder of two young Jewish people because Israel
I think of the man who threw Molotov's at Jewish people marching peacefully because Israel

Do they hear his words as a call for resistance to Israel or for violence against Jews. I believe many hear the latter and don't listen to his explanation.

[uponit7771]

71. In NY? Yes... In US overall no ... this is a local thing, they understand where he's coming from. It'd be a hella

...lift to convince NY voters this guy was calling for violence against Jews.

Also, I don't see a quote or a source of him saying those exact words in the context of attacking Jewish people either so I'm skeptical now.

I don't know wtf is going on on DU

[Beastly Boy]

61. Let's not ignore the definitions of words. And let's not pretend they are never used in different contexts

And let's not pretend that "Globalize the intifada" has connotations beyond dictionary definitions.The most common definition of "intifada" for English speakers is a call for violence. And this call gets random Jews around the world scared shitless, for a good reason. It calls for violence against them, not Netanyahu.

[SocialDemocrat61]

70. 'English' speakers?

Mamdani was born in Uganda and English is not his native language. He has repeatedly explained what he meant by the statement.

[SSJVegeta]

29. Its a call for resistance. He was clear it didnt mean violence

Infitada literally means "resistance" or "shaking off". For some reason if he said "Globalize the Resistance," there wouldnt have been as much pushback. But because he used an Arabic word that literally means the same thing, it's terrorism? There is bigotry involved, but it isnt by Mamdani.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100220426976

[uponit7771]

49. Yep but they know that ... too many people holding on to what's going away

[Beastly Boy]

63. It means violence to the vast majority of people who call for it.

Those people know exactly what it means and why Mamdani is struggling to deny what it means. Nobody, including the people who try to whitewash the meaning of the phrase, have any illusions that the phrase is a call for violence.

But... plausible deniability. So let's conveniently lose the meaning in the translation.

[Renew Deal]

16. Do you have a quote?

And a link?

[thought crime]

23. He briefly discussed the word, he didn't even use the word outside discussing it.

Mamdani said specifically that the slogan was about solidarity with oppressed people globally – not a call to violence. And he said there is no place for violence.

Seems pretty clear to me. It will be interesting to see if these kinds of smears get amplified by Trump, MAGA, Fox, etc. etc. along with attacks on scary socialism. We know they have no regard for the truth. I hope people here will be careful not to spread misinformation, because it looks like there will be tons of it.

If we do want progress and change then at some point we have to support young progressives working for change.

[CincyDem]

33. No, but if he were critical of thin crust street pizza by the slice...he'd be eviserated.

[SocialDemocrat61]

34. In NYC if put pineapple on pizza

He’d be run out of town 😂

[CincyDem]

35. Now that's a federal prohibition I could behind.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

58. What's wrong with pineapple on pizza?? Next your gonna tell me NYers don't like anchovies either??

YUMMY!!

[SocialDemocrat61]

69. Pineapple isn't Italian

Anchovies are

[Gore1FL]

77. Neither is American Pizza, but here we are. nt

[SocialDemocrat61]

78. American pizza sucks

I’m talking about New York pizza, the best in the world.

[Gore1FL]

80. Quality isn't the issue at hand. New York is in America; the pizza is not Italian. nt

[SocialDemocrat61]

83. And pineapples don't come from New York

Except in a can.

[Keepthesoulalive]

56. No New Yorker

Is against thin crust pizza by the slice. We lived off of it.

[uponit7771]

44. **"THIS!!!***

[cally]

4. I listened to interview with Colbert, Landers, Mamdani this morning

Wow!! Your statement is so far from his views, proposals, and political activism for all NYers. I encourage you to listen to his response and see his endorsements. He does NOT support elimination of Jews in Israel :enroll:, supports Jewish state, but does not support the Netanyahu government and its genocide in Gaza. He is concerned about anti-Semitism in this country and in NY.

[walkingman]

60. I'm hopeful we this is the beginning of a generational change in our nation.

[Torchlight]

6. What then is immediate and practical solution?

[karynnj]

8. At the debate, when asked if he supported Israel, as a Jewish State,

He answered that he supports a Democratic Israel with equal rights for all. Note: this does not actually answer the question, but if speaking of any country other than Israel, it would be a pretty standard answer.

Most secular American Jews, per polling, agree with a two state solution. That would preserve Israel having a Jewish majority. However, the settlement movement is progressively making a two state solution much harder to achieve. If the settlements are included as part of Israel, it leaves a Palestinian state that looks like a piece of Swiss cheese. In addition, since Oct 7, 2023 some MK have spoken of removing Palestinians from Gaza.

If a 2:state solution is made impossible, it makes what Mamdani suggests as perhaps the most palatable solution, although one that Israel itself would likely never chose.

[SSJVegeta]

10. ...

[adam_vermont]

13. Just asking questions like Tucker Carlson

I'm glad you have received some intelligent responses to this vague and ignorant post. What is the "The one" slogan you are talking about? Why don't you start this discussion with some concrete statements about what you are talking about, instead of allusions and insulting language. What has "That guy" (Oh, you mean the one who just won the NYC primary? Degrading right off the top.) actually said about the slogans that you don't even mention? But no, instead you tell us what the words in his mouth meant.

I come to this site to participate in and read intelligent discussion. If I want loaded provocation, lack of respect, and intentional pot-stirring, I can go to RedState or some right-wing site.

[Kid Berwyn]

17. A hearty welcome to DU!

And I appreciate your analysis.

[aocommunalpunch]

30. Thanks for voicing my thoughts, too.

“That guy” deserves fucking respect from this site. He is the Democratic fucking nominee for NYC mayor. Deal with reality and ToS.

[Nanjeanne]

19. No he did not. Unless you read tweets as fact.

[Celerity]

24. de rec

[LexVegas]

25. He defended the use of the phrase "globalize the intifada" nt

[AStern]

28. I heard he waves Mexican flags at anti-ICE protests

[JustAnotherGen]

31. This wasn't a deal breaker

For NYC Democratic Party voters. It just wasn't.

The real danger is in thinking that his campaign would be effective in the NJ-7th. Sue Altman lost here - and these folks are still more racist than they are self-preservationist.

[Archae]

32. I'm going to wait until the campaign gets going.

To comment any further, since I know practically nothing about the guy.

So we'll see what he says as the campaign heats up.

[enid602]

38. Expulsion

Don’t most Israelis call for the expulsion of 4 million Palestinians from Israel? Israel’s actions in Gaza and West Bank would seem to suggest this. Again, ‘saying’ or ‘calling for’ are not the same as taking concrete action.

[Jit423]

40. Israel is losing more than it is gaining because of Gaza genocide and because of how Bibi controls Trump

US voters, including Jews, may like Trump because he is deporting many non-whites out of the country but the nation cannot survive with only privileged non-working whites and drug-addled poor whites doing the farming, manufacturing and grunt work for the entire nation. Remember, the country was built on the backs of black slaves, white indentured servants (slaves by another name) and Asian laborers. Consumer buying soon reaches its saturation point when the wealthy have more than they need and get bored with having too much.

[Sympthsical]

50. As someone who finds Mamdani very problematic

I wouldn’t have voted for him. However, I’m happy he won. Why?

Because Power must start losing in our party.

And if that means allying with people I ordinarily wouldn’t, so be it.

[Mosby]

57. He won with white wealthy college people

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

[Nanjeanne]

67. Great. Well he actually won with middle and higher incomes - so I guess the wealthy don't mind paying more in taxes.

And in actuality it's being based on which precincts were won by the candidates. But even within those precincts there are a mix of wealth - so it's not exactly the best indication. But in general its great to know that a Democratic Socialist can win on increasing taxes and giving benefits to the working poor - even if the working poor aren't voting for him!

[OC375]

65. Socialism

Last edited Wed Jun 25, 2025, 06:42 PM - Edit history (1)

It’s OK if a socialist says it.

[iemanja]

66. The phrase he used was "globalize the intifada"

which, in my understanding, does not mean to eliminate all Jews from Israel. Israelis and some
American Jews don't like the term because it conjures memory of the Second Intifada in Palestine, but it's meaning is not derived from that.


I asked someone what Mamdani meant by the term, and this is what another poster told me.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=20430235

[Rob H.]

68. I'm loving the cope from the "Vote Blue No Matter Who" crowd

now that the candidate is someone they don't like.

[róisín_dubh]

74. As someone who was cajoled...

About voting for Joe motherfucking Manchin while I lived in West Virginia…and Jim Justice before he switched (back) to being a Repuke…

[aocommunalpunch]

75. Yea, it's something to behold.

No support. Just asking questions that undermine solidarity. Right on time.

[Prairie Gates]

82. Yuuuuuuup

[obamanut2012]

73. no

[choie]

79. STOP just STOP

disseminating this bullshit.