Brian Romick, President and CEO of Democratic Majority for Israel, made the following statement in reaction to the New York City mayor’s race:
“New York City is home to the largest Jewish population outside of Israel, making up about 16% of the electorate in the Democratic primary. With antisemitism on the rise and violent attacks targeting Jews — including recent incidents that have left people burned and killed — it’s more important than ever for local governments to do all they can to protect their Jewish communities. At the same time, we need our leaders to be unequivocal: hate-fueled rhetoric demonizing Israel leads to attacks against Jews. While many running for mayor have made clear they will do all they can to protect Jewish New Yorkers and combat antisemitism, others like Zohran Mamdani have not.
“Just this week, Mamdani defended the phrase ‘globalize the intifada.’ Let’s be clear about what ‘globalize the intifada’ means: killing Jews. The intifada killed Jews in pizza shops, cafes, bars, clubs, and while just waiting for the bus. This is not a slip-up; it is endorsing a phrase that leads to murder, terrorism, and death. This is an antisemitic phrase — no question.
“Mamdani has a long-standing enmity towards Israel. Asking Mamdani questions about Israel follows his own criteria for selecting a mayor. In 2020, he said, ‘Ask each one of [the 2021 mayoral candidates] what they think about BDS.’ In the same interview, he said, ‘There are ways in which to make what seems to be an international battle into a local one.’ Mamdani may try to downplay his true thoughts and feelings now that he’s running to be mayor, but these videos reveal the truth: Zohran Mamdani is an anti-Israel extremist who would put Jewish New Yorkers at risk.
“This campaign, at the same time, is empowering organizations like the DSA, whose chapters glorified the barbaric violence against Israelis on October 7th, while also urging people to back a Mamdani bill that ‘provides an effective model for pressuring elected officials to stop providing financial support to the Israeli state.’ This is all in addition to his refusal to acknowledge Israel has a right to exist as a Jewish state.
“New York Democrats must reject him on Tuesday.”
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