Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro publicly criticized New York City Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani on Wednesday for not denouncing what Shapiro described as “blatantly antisemitic” rhetoric from Mamdani’s supporters, as reported by The New York Post.
“You have to speak and act with moral clarity, and when supporters of yours say things that are blatantly antisemitic, you can’t leave room for that to just sit there,” Shapiro told Jewish Insider.
“You’ve got to condemn that.”
Shapiro’s remarks come amid increasing scrutiny of Mamdani’s positions and associations following his upset victory in last month’s Democratic mayoral primary in New York City.
Mamdani, a state assemblyman representing Queens and a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, has drawn criticism for his support of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement targeting Israel, as well as his refusal to denounce certain anti-Israel protest slogans.
“He seemed to run a campaign that excited New Yorkers,” Shapiro said. “He also seemed to run a campaign where he left open far too much space for extremists to either use his words or for him to not condemn the words of extremists that said some blatantly antisemitic things.”
Mamdani has defended his positions by asserting that criticism of Israel and Zionism is not antisemitic, while also maintaining that he opposes antisemitism.
However, his refusal to condemn phrases such as “globalize the intifada” — a slogan widely used at anti-Israel protests — has sparked criticism from across the political spectrum.
Following his primary victory, Mamdani said he discouraged supporters from using the phrase after holding discussions with Jewish elected officials. Still, concerns remain among leaders in his party.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) voiced her disapproval of Mamdani’s handling of the issue in a recent interview with WNYC.
“As a leader of a city as diverse as New York City with 8 million people, as the largest Jewish population in the country, he should denounce it. And that’s it. Period,” Gillibrand said.
Despite winning the primary, Mamdani has yet to secure endorsements from New York’s top Democratic figures.
Governor Kathy Hochul, Senate Democratic Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries have all declined to say whether they will support Mamdani in the general election.
The ongoing controversy has exposed rifts within the Democratic Party over the Israel-Palestinian issue and raised questions about the direction of party leadership in New York.
