Mamdani's Father Linked to Anti-Israel Group with Terror Ties Amid NYC Mayoral Race

In a stunning revelation, Mahmood Mamdani, father of socialist New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, holds a prominent position on the advisory council of the Gaza Tribunal, a London-based anti-Israel organization founded in 2024. This group aggressively pushes for boycotts, divestments, and sanctions (BDS) against Israel, accuses the Israeli government of genocide, and has even shown sympathy for suicide bombers—a stance that raises serious questions in the context of a heated mayoral race.

The Gaza Tribunal’s stated mission is to rally civil society against what it calls Israel’s actions in Gaza. Its president, Richard Falk, a figure long criticized for anti-Israel rhetoric, has openly supported BDS and accused Israel of pursuing ethnic cleansing and colonialist policies. Falk’s past comparisons of Israel to Nazi Germany have drawn sharp condemnation, yet he continues to defend these views, most recently in a statement claiming Israel’s actions in Gaza over the past 20 months reflect genocidal tactics.

Mahmood Mamdani himself, a respected professor at Columbia University, has stirred controversy with past writings from his 2004 book, where he argued that suicide bombing should be seen as a form of modern political violence rather than mere barbarism. His words, describing suicide bombers as a category of soldier, have resurfaced at a time when his son’s political ambitions are under intense scrutiny.

Zohran Mamdani, meanwhile, has echoed similar sentiments, openly supporting BDS as part of his non-violent political stance. His refusal to affirm Israel’s right to exist and his reluctance to condemn phrases like globalize the intifada—a rallying cry for anti-Israel protests—have fueled criticism from Jewish communities in New York City as he campaigns against heavyweights like Mayor Eric Adams and former Governor Andrew Cuomo.

The Gaza Tribunal’s connections don’t stop at rhetoric. Its launch event featured figures like Dr. Hatem Bazian, known for inflammatory anti-Israel statements, and Sami Al-Arian, a former professor deported from the U.S. after admitting to aiding a terrorist group. Even former UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, widely criticized for antisemitic associations, sits on the advisory council. These ties paint a troubling picture of an organization that goes beyond activism into dangerous territory.

As Zohran Mamdani seeks to lead one of America’s most diverse cities, the shadow of his father’s affiliations and his own positions on Israel loom large. In a city where every vote counts, this family’s ideological stance could either galvanize or alienate a deeply divided electorate.