Sharpton Presses NYC Mayoral Candidate Mamdani to Reject Anti-Israel Slogan

In a charged political moment, Rev. Al Sharpton has called on New York City’s Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani to directly address concerns over his refusal to condemn the phrase "globalize the intifada", a slogan tied to anti-Israel sentiment. Speaking on MSNBC, Sharpton emphasized that Mamdani, a democratic socialist and practicing Muslim, must meet with Jewish leaders to affirm his support for their community and clarify his stance on the controversial phrase.

Sharpton, drawing from his own past missteps, recounted how Coretta Scott King once advised him against taking words lightly, urging Mamdani to avoid ambiguity. "You’re running for mayor of New York. Take ‘Do you support international intifada?’ off the table. Period," Sharpton said, stressing the need for clear leadership in a diverse city. He noted his recent meeting with Mamdani in Harlem, where the candidate denounced antisemitism and Islamophobia but sidestepped directly addressing the slogan.

The issue gained traction after Mamdani’s appearance on NBC’s Meet The Press, where he avoided condemning the phrase, instead focusing on his commitment to universal human rights. Prominent Democrats, including Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, have also pressed Mamdani to reject the rhetoric, which many view as a call for violence. Sharpton echoed Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt’s suggestion that Mamdani engage directly with Jewish community leaders to build trust.

As Mamdani’s campaign navigates this controversy, the call for clarity underscores the delicate balance of addressing divisive issues while uniting a city as diverse as New York.