Mamdani Defends BDS Support in Mayoral Campaign Interview

New York City, NY — Democratic Socialist mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani defended his support for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement during an interview with MSNBC on Tuesday.

Appearing on “Morning Joe,” Mamdani explained that he supports BDS as a method to pressure Israel to comply with international law. “I support BDS because this is a movement that is looking for that kind of compliance. We haven’t seen it,” he said.

Co-host Willie Geist questioned Mamdani on how he balances his support for the BDS movement with representing Jewish New Yorkers, many of whom are concerned about his stance. Mamdani clarified that his critiques are directed at the Israeli government, not the Jewish people. “Critiques of the state of Israel are critiques of a government, as opposed to critiques of a people and of a faith,” he stated.

Jewish leaders in New York City have expressed worry about Mamdani’s potential impact on the city’s Jewish community. Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove of the Conservative Park Avenue Synagogue declared that Mamdani presents a danger to their security. “To be clear, unequivocal, and on the record, I believe Zohran Mamdani poses a danger to the security of the New York Jewish community,” he said.

Mamdani’s rivals in the mayoral race, former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa, have also claimed that Mamdani would not protect Jewish New Yorkers if elected. During the Democratic primary, he refrained from condemning the phrase “globalize the intifada,” which is seen by some as a call for violence against Jews.

Additionally, Mamdani is advocating for a state assembly bill aimed at prohibiting not-for-profit organizations from supporting Israeli settlement activities. He stressed the need for New York’s elected officials to take a stance against these actions, asking, “Are we ready to end New York state subsidy of settler crimes? Are we ready to say, ‘Not on our dime?’”

When asked if BDS would be the policy of his administration, Mamdani reiterated his support for non-violent movements geared toward compliance with international law. “Where this mayor [Eric Adams] has violated and looked to violate that kind of law, I would bring us back into compliance,” he added.

Mamdani reiterated that he aims to be the mayor for all New Yorkers, including those in the Jewish community.