Shapiro Slams Mamdani Over Antisemitic Rhetoric in NYC Mayor Race

In a sharp rebuke, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, a prominent Democrat, has called out New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani for failing to denounce what he describes as blatantly antisemitic rhetoric during his campaign. Shapiro didn’t mince words, stressing that leadership—whether in New York, Pennsylvania, or anywhere in America—demands moral clarity. He criticized Mamdani for allowing extremist voices to go unchecked, a dangerous omission for someone vying to lead the nation’s largest city.

Mamdani, a democratic socialist who clinched the Democratic primary in June, has sparked intense debate with his stances. His refusal to initially condemn phrases like 'globalize the intifada' drew sharp backlash, though he later distanced himself from the slogan while engaging with business leaders. His support for the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which he frames as nonviolent, has further fueled controversy amid rising antisemitism on college campuses like Columbia University since the October 2023 Hamas attacks in Israel.

While some Democrats, like New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, defend Mamdani’s vision for an affordable city and his appeal to a broad Democratic base, others are sounding alarms. Key figures such as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries have withheld endorsements over Mamdani’s comments on Israel. Battleground district Democrats, including Rep. Tom Suozzi and Rep. Laura Gillen, have openly called his views extreme and a wake-up call for the party.

On the progressive flank, however, Mamdani enjoys strong support. Figures like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders have hailed his primary win over former Gov. Andrew Cuomo as a signal of shifting Democratic priorities. His campaign, rooted in economic justice and housing affordability, pushes bold ideas like government-run grocery stores and rent freezes—proposals that echo socialist principles and have polarized voters.

As the November election looms, Mamdani faces a crowded field, including independent bids from Cuomo, incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, and others. Adams, speaking at a recent Jewish heritage event, urged Jewish New Yorkers not to flee the city and criticized Mamdani’s proposal to target wealthier, predominantly white neighborhoods with higher taxes. The race for New York’s future is not just a local contest—it’s a battleground for the soul of the Democratic Party and a test of how far progressive ideals can stretch in a city grappling with identity and safety.