Holocaust Museum Slams NYC Mayoral Candidate Zohran Mamdani Over ‘Intifada’ Justification
A controversial phrase has ignited a firestorm on the New York City mayoral campaign trail.
And a powerful institution is now weighing in with a blistering rebuke.
Controversial Comments Stir Campaign Tensions
Middle East tensions have unexpectedly become a focal point in the race for New York City mayor.
The controversy erupted following comments made by candidate Zohran Mamdani.
Mamdani was asked during a podcast interview about phrases like “Globalize the intifada” and “From the river to the sea.”
His response has since gone viral, drawing significant criticism from various groups.
Defining ‘Intifada’ and Drawing Comparisons
When pressed on whether the phrases made him uncomfortable, Mamdani said he doesn’t support banning language.
He reportedly compared the idea of censoring language to the style of President Trump.
Mamdani also offered his interpretation of the word “intifada.”
He stated the word means ‘struggle’ and claimed it has been used by the Holocaust Museum when translating the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising into Arabic.
Holocaust Museum Fires Back Hard
This claim about the Holocaust Museum immediately drew a sharp response.
The United States Holocaust Museum issued a strong statement contradicting Mamdani.
They slammed his attempt to link the phrase to their translation efforts.
Exploiting the Museum and the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising to sanitize ‘globalize the intifada’ is outrageous and especially offensive to survivors. Since 1987, Jews have been attacked and murdered under its banner. All leaders must condemn its use and the abuse of history.
Jewish advocacy groups also quickly condemned Mamdani’s remarks.
They argue that “Globalize the intifada” is a rallying cry associated with violence against Israelis and Jews.
According to the American Jewish Committee, the phrase calls for a global uprising against Israel.
Cuomo and Others Demand Denouncement
Former Governor Andrew Cuomo, a leading candidate in the mayoral race, was quick to criticize Mamdani.
Cuomo called on all candidates to denounce Mamdani’s suggestion that the language is “subject to interpretation.”
That is not only wrong, it is dangerous. At a time when we are seeing antisemitism on the rise and in fact witnessing once again violence against Jews resulting in their deaths in Washington D.C. or their burning in Denver, we know all too well that words matter. They fuel hate. They fuel murder. As the US Holocaust Museum so aptly said, all leaders or those running for office must condemn the use of this battle cry. There are no two sides here.
Cuomo highlighted recent incidents of violence against Jews in the US, including killings and attacks.
Other prominent New York Democrats also joined the criticism.
Rep. Tom Suozzi slammed the phrase as “wrong, dangerous and deadly,” calling Mamdani’s comments disqualifying.
Rep. Ritchie Torres argued that even if intent was debated, the phrase’s reception by the Jewish community was clear – a call to violence.
Mamdani has also faced scrutiny for his views on Israel’s right to exist, stating it should exist as a state with equal rights rather than specifically a “Jewish state.”
A Grave Accusation Emerges
Amidst the political storm, one voice delivered a particularly stark assessment.
Elisha Weisel, son of Holocaust survivor and author Elie Wiesel, did not mince words.
Speaking to Fox News Digital, Weisel offered a chilling interpretation of the controversial phrase.
globalizing the intifada is code switching for kill the Jews.
Weisel echoed Cuomo’s call for all candidates to denounce the language.
He questioned Mamdani’s understanding or motives behind defending the phrase.
I can’t see into Zohran Mamdani’s soul, so when he doubles down on saying that globalizing the intifada is a good thing, I genuinely can’t tell whether he’s just completely naive or evil. Neither one of those is a good characteristic for someone in charge of our city. We need to keep antisemites out of the mayor’s office.
Mamdani has spoken emotionally about receiving threats and comments he believes are antisemitic, suggesting the issue is being “weaponized” for political gain.
However, the strong reactions from institutions like the Holocaust Museum and prominent figures like Weisel underscore the deep sensitivity and controversy surrounding the language used on the campaign trail.