Rep. Josh Gottheimer, a Democratic lawmaker from New Jersey, recently criticized New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani for his refusal to denounce hate speech. This criticism came during an interview on CNN, where Gottheimer expressed his confusion over Mamdani’s stance on the phrase "globalize the intifada." This phrase has been interpreted by many as a call for violence against Jewish people.
Gottheimer’s remarks followed Mamdani’s appearance on NBC, where he was pressed to condemn the phrase but declined to do so. Gottheimer stated, "Somebody who refuses to condemn hate speech is not acceptable," and emphasized that the Democratic Party should take a strong stance against such language.
Mamdani, a Democratic socialist candidate, recently won the NYC mayoral primary, defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo. His policies have sparked debate, especially regarding his reluctance to clarify his position on controversial statements. During the NBC interview, he mentioned wanting to avoid "policing speech," which did not sit well with critics.
Gottheimer highlighted the importance of condemning hate speech, regardless of the group it targets. He pointed out the rising incidents of antisemitism and questioned why Mamdani would not outright condemn language that many find offensive. He said, "I believe the Democratic Party needs to move in the direction of common sense and reasonableness."
Other Democratic leaders, including Hakeem Jeffries and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, have echoed Gottheimer’s call for Mamdani to clarify his views. They, along with members of the press, have raised concerns about the implications of Mamdani’s language and the potential for it to incite violence.
Criticism has also come from outside the political sphere. Podcast host Donny Deutsch expressed outrage on "Morning Joe," stating that if any other group found certain words offensive, there would be a strong response. He emphasized that the phrase "globalize the intifada" means violence to many in the Jewish community.
As the election approaches, Mamdani faces increasing pressure to address these concerns and clarify his stance on hate speech and its implications.