New York City mayor: What is the BDS movement that Zohran Mamdani supports? Details New York residents must know
According to Fox News’ report, Mamdani said he supports BDS because he believes it is a non-violent way to ensure Israel complies with international legal standards. “I support BDS because it’s a movement that seeks that kind of harmony. We haven’t seen that,” he said. MSNBC co-host Willie Geist asked Mamdani how she could support Jewish New Yorkers while supporting a movement that many see as anti-Israel.
Criticism from Jewish leaders and opponents
Geist noted that many Jewish residents in New York were concerned that Mamdani’s support for BDS showed “hostility towards them.” The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has condemned the BDS movement as a biased campaign that seeks to delegitimize Israel and could fuel antisemitism.
Mamdani said his criticism was directed at the Israeli government, not the Jewish people or their beliefs. “I think criticism of the state of Israel is a criticism of a government, as opposed to a criticism of a people and a belief,” he said, as Fox News noted. Mamdani added that his mission is to represent every New Yorker, regardless of their attitudes toward Israel or Palestine. ALSO READ: New York mayoral election: Is Zohran Mamdani’s twice-listed vote accurate? Elon Musk called it a scam
“My job is to represent every New Yorker, and I will do that regardless of their thoughts and views on Israel and Palestine,” he said. Some Jewish leaders in New York strongly criticized Mamdani’s stance. “I believe Zohran Mamdani poses a danger to the safety of the New York Jewish community,” said Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove of the Conservative Park Avenue Synagogue in Manhattan.
Mamdani’s political opponents, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo (Independent) and Curtis Sliwa (Republican), also said he would not protect Jewish New Yorkers if he became mayor. Earlier, during the Democratic primary, Mamdani had refused to condemn the phrase “globalize the intifada,” which many saw as a call for violence against Jews. Supporters of the phrase argue that it means peaceful resistance, but Mamdani later said he would discourage its use.
Mamdani’s rally, BDS policy and response
In 2023, Mamdani was seen speaking at a rally where she urged New York leaders to support a state House bill banning nonprofits from funding Israeli settlement activities. At that rally, Mamdani shouted: “Are we ready to end New York state’s support of settler crime? Are we ready to say, ‘Not with our money’?” During the MSNBC interview, Geist asked Mamdani if BDS would be his administration’s policy as mayor. “I said that I will and do support non-violent movements to ensure compliance with international law,” Mamdani said. He also said he would bring the city back into compliance in cases where current mayor Eric Adams “attempts to violate such law.” Mamdani once again stated that despite the support of BDS, he would be the mayor of all New York Jews.
His comments reignited debate in New York City about whether supporting BDS is compatible with leading a diverse city that includes the world’s largest Jewish population, according to Emegypt’s report. In short, Mamdani insists that his support for BDS is about international law and human rights, not religion; but his critics fear it indicates hostility towards the Jewish community.
FAQ
Q1. What is the BDS movement supported by Zohran Mamdani?
The BDS movement is calling for a boycott to pressure Israel to comply with international law, which Zohran Mamdani says is a non-violent way to seek justice.
Q2. Why are Jewish leaders angry with Zohran Mamdani?
Jewish leaders say Mamdani’s support for BDS and his past comments could harm the safety and trust of New York’s Jewish community.
