Winner of the primary of the Democratic Mayor and assembly of New York State Zohran Mamdani received a striking warning by the Democratic Governor of Pennsylvania Josh Shapiro Wednesday, saying that if Mamdani supporters bring out anti -Semitic rhetoric, “you cannot leave room for this to be there. You have to condemn this.”
Nowsweek Contacted the mayor’s candidate’s candidate’s campaign on Wednesday evening to comment.
Why it matters
The reprimand arrives at a pivotal moment not only for the Mamdani campaign, but as a national democrats with internal divisions on the policy of Israel, the increase in strategies of hatred and anti-Jewish approval, all importance for the mid-term cycle of 2026. Jewish communities and party leaders watch these developments and political positions Anti -Semitism become central campaign issues.
Mamdani’s push has intensified the debate Democrat party In its future orientation, because its platform contrasts strongly with those of more centrist and aligned characters.
Unlike the establishment Democrats– which historically defended additional reforms and avoided large tax policies targeting high ouesturs. These positions are at the heart of his campaign, which he has supervised around affordability, the justice of housing and public investments in services such as free child care and public transport.
While Mamdani awaits critical democratic support, he met with business leaders this month, where he said that he would discourage the expression “globalize the intifad The New York TimesCiting three familiar people with discussions.
What to know
While speaking to Jewish Insider, Shapiro made a blow on Mamdani, saying: “He seemed to lead a campaign that excited the New Yorkers. He also seemed to lead a campaign where he left far too much space for the extremists to use his words or for him not to condemn the words of the extremists who said blatant anti-rif.”
The deputy and democratic socialist has not yet obtained the key support of the Democratic Governor of New York Kathy Hochul, Senate Minority leader Chuck Schumer from New York and head of the house minority Hakeem JeffriesAlso from New York, before the November elections.
The Democratic Governor said he was “concerned that support for Israel in the United States is largely down compared to what he was ten years ago.” He added later that “there are policies of [Prime Minister Benjamin] Government of Netanyahu that I do not support. I was very expressed about this. But there is a difference between not supporting the policies of anyone who is responsible at some point, and the underlying concept of a Jewish state of Israel. “”
“I think it is important to strengthen the understanding of the people of Israel and the relationship that America should have with Israel and strengthen this link,” said Shapiro.
The governor has also distributed advice to Mamdani and any future leader: “You have to speak and act with moral clarity, and when supporters say that things that are obviously anti -Semitic, you cannot leave room so that you have to sit there. You have to condemn this.”
Previously, Mamdani apparently defended the expression “globalizing the intifada” as “a desperate desire for equality and equal rights to defend Palestinian human rights”. He also described the anti -Semitism “real problem” in New York and said Hamas“The attack on Israel on October 7, 2023 was a” war crime “.
The New York town hall candidate, Zohran Mamdani, can be seen briefly speaking with journalists as he leaves the building of the Dirksen Senate office on July 16 in Washington, DC (Photo by Michael M. Santiago / Getty Images)
What people say
The republican senator Ted Cruz of Texas posted on X Wednesday: “Zohran Mamdani is not a socialist. He is a communist and an extremist who wants to take control of New York. Chuck Schumer is terrified, but it is the reality of the Democrats are today.”
Independent senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who supported Mamdani, on X this month: “Billionaires like Bill Ackman have promised to spend tens of millions of dollars to defeat @Zohrankmamdani Because they don’t like the result of democratic primary. It is not democracy, it is the oligarchy in action. Stay with Zohran. “”
Professor of political science at Columbia University, Robert Y. Shapiro, at Nowsweek By e-mail on Wednesday: “This Mamdani review is already cooked here in the mayor’s campaign. [sic] appears among his supporters. There are many democratic and other undecided voters, who are not satisfied with all candidates, and they will monitor any sign that Mamdani tolerate anti -Semitism and the signs that his socialist policy tendencies become too extreme and detached from reality. “”
What happens next
Mamdani’s campaign continues to deal with challenges expanding its base beyond progressive voters, especially since it seeks by the mentions of Democratic leaders and the insurance of Jewish communities.
While the elections approach in November, the response of voters will determine whether the progressive Mamdani platform can overcome these divisions or if concerns about rhetoric and parties will make balance in favor of its rivals.