Mamdani Retracts 'Globalize Intifada' Support in NYC Mayoral Race Shift

New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani has made a significant shift in his stance on the controversial slogan "Globalize the Intifada," announcing during a closed-door meeting with over 140 business leaders that he will no longer use the phrase and will discourage others from doing so. This change of heart, revealed at a gathering hosted by the Partnership for New York City at Rockefeller Center, comes after months of defending the anti-Israel rallying cry, which many interpret as a call for global uprising against Israel.

Mamdani attributed his reversal to a poignant conversation with a Jewish woman, whose personal account of how the phrase evokes painful memories of violence and trauma deeply affected him. This marks a notable departure from his earlier reluctance to condemn the slogan, which has been a lightning rod for tension within the Democratic Party and beyond, especially amidst ongoing pro-Palestine protests on college campuses and Israel’s conflict in Gaza.

Meanwhile, in Washington, D.C., at a separate closed-door event hosted by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez focused on digital campaign strategies, the phrase was conspicuously absent from discussions. National Democratic leaders, including Ocasio-Cortez herself, confirmed that Mamdani’s new position wasn’t addressed, with the focus instead on campaign tactics and affordability issues. Some lawmakers expressed frustration over the omission, with Rep. Debbie Dingell emphasizing broader concerns about the humanitarian toll of the Middle East conflict.

Mamdani’s initial refusal to denounce the phrase had drawn sharp criticism from Jewish advocacy groups and political opponents, including former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who called the slogan "dangerous" and rejected any ambiguity on the issue. As Mamdani now steps back from endorsing the language, the debate continues to ripple through Democratic circles, with high-profile figures like House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer yet to endorse the self-described Democratic socialist, though meetings with him are planned.

Ocasio-Cortez, an early supporter of Mamdani, urged skeptics to engage with him directly rather than relying on media portrayals, praising her colleagues for approaching the candidate with an open mind. As the mayoral race heats up, Mamdani’s evolving position on this divisive issue could reshape the political landscape in New York City, where sensitivities around the Middle East conflict run deep.