Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic socialist widely viewed as a leading contender in New York City’s upcoming mayoral election, is now reportedly facing renewed scrutiny after the resurfacing of a video in which he appeared to attack both the NYPD and Israel with conspiracy-laden rhetoric.
The clip, first circulated on X by the account @mazemoore and reportedly recorded at a September 2023 event, shows Mamdani extolling what he describes as “international solidarity” as a guiding force for his politics. The mayoral favorite suggested that focusing on global struggles makes his own positions seem “tame,” while encouraging activists to reframe their causes in more dramatic, ideological terms. “The importance for me of international solidarity is that it takes me out of the American political landscape that reminds me just how tame some of the things are that I’m actually calling for,” he said. “And it reminds me of the necessity of grounding ourselves in the struggles as opposed to the fights around the struggles.”
His remarks escalated as he urged supporters to draw inflammatory connections between local policing and foreign conflicts. “We have to make clear that when the boot of the NYPD is on your neck, it’s been laced by the IDF,” Mamdani declared, promoting the idea of direct ties between New York law enforcement and Israel’s military. He then claimed there are “so many opportunities to make clear the ways in which that struggle over there is tied to capitalist interests over here.”
The resurfaced comments are likely to deepen concerns about Mamdani’s ideological rigidity and his hostility toward the city’s police department at a time when crime and public safety remain major voter concerns. His views on the NYPD have already drawn significant criticism. A vocal supporter of the Defund the Police movement, Mamdani once reacted to a 2020 post showing a police officer crying in a patrol car by tweeting, “Nature is healing.”
His outspoken stance toward Israel — and reluctance to clearly condemn its enemies — has created an equally heated backlash. Mamdani was widely criticized for his response to the October 7 attack on civilians in southern Israel by Hamas, a terrorist organization. His initial statement, as well as one he issued on the two-year anniversary of the massacre, were accused by critics of downplaying Hamas’ atrocities while focusing primarily on condemning Israel instead.
Most strikingly, Mamdani has contrasted his unwillingness to explicitly denounce Hamas with a declaration that he would have the Israeli prime minister arrested if he visited New York during his mayoralty.
As the mayor’s race intensifies, Mamdani’s comments reveal a worldview rooted in ideological confrontation rather than pragmatic governance. He has positioned himself firmly against the NYPD and Israel — institutions many New Yorkers view as essential allies in maintaining public safety and combating global terrorism. The resurfaced video underscores the growing divide between Mamdani’s radical platform and the broader electorate he now seeks to lead.
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