Socialist New York state Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani and New York City Comptroller Brad Lander cross-endorsed each other in the Democratic primary for mayor last week, hoping to beat front-runner former Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Their disagreement on one key issue appears to have created tension.
Mamdani’s staunch anti-Israel stances have conflicted with Lander, who is a self-professed Zionist. Mamdani, on the other hand, has been criticized for supporting the movement to boycott, divest, and sanction Israel, in addition to defending the phrase “globalize the intifada.”
The word “intifada” refers to violent uprisings against Israel, led by the United States-designated terrorist group Hamas, that resulted in thousands of deaths on both sides. The phrase “globalize the intifada” has been prominent at militant and at times violent anti-Israel demonstrations around the world, with many featuring pro-Hamas and antisemitic slogans or imagery.
While the tensions are unlikely to jeopardize their cross-endorsement, they both need every vote they can get in their pursuit to beat Cuomo. This could show how New York City’s ranked choice voting system can complicate politics.
Lander, who is Jewish and recently drew national publicity for his arrest while trying to escort an immigrant out of court, said on Friday that he disagreed with Mamdani on Israel.
“We do not agree on everything about Israel and Palestine, but I do believe that he will protect Jewish New Yorkers and our rights,” he said. Lander also noted that he believed Mamdani had the decency for office, but Cuomo does not.
Brad Lander on why he ranked Zohran Mamdani second:
“We do not agree on everything about Israel and Palestine, but I do believe that he will protect Jewish New Yorkers and our rights.” pic.twitter.com/JoEw3Y3XNr
— Jacob N. Kornbluh (@jacobkornbluh) June 19, 2025
Mamdani drew condemnation for his refusal to condemn the phrase, instead saying, “What I hear in so many is a desperate desire for equality and equal rights in standing up for Palestinian human rights.”
While he didn’t name Mamdani, Lander warned on Wednesday that the phrase is associated with violence against Jews.
“When I hear the phrase ‘globalize the Intifada,’ I say to people … maybe you don’t mean to be saying it’s open season on Jews everywhere in the world, but that’s what I hear. And I’d like to hear that from other people,” he said.
Cuomo, Jewish Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY), and the U.S. Holocaust Museum blasted Mamdani directly for justifying the phrase. Cuomo said Mamdani’s interpretation of the phrase “is not only wrong — it is dangerous.” Goldman said if Mamdani is unwilling to condemn the phrase, he is “unfit to lead” the city.
Mamdani reacted emotionally when asked about his comments on the phrase that’s been condemned for its association with terrorism and violence against Jews, pointing to hateful comments he’s received.
“I get messages that say, ‘The only good Muslim is a dead Muslim,’” he said.
“I get threats on my life, on the people that I love, and I try not to talk about it … antisemitism is such a real issue in this city, and it has been hard to see it weaponized by candidates who do not seem to have any sincere interest in tackling it but rather using it as a pretext to make political points,” he added.
The New York City Police Department announced an investigation on Thursday into threats made against Mamdani. Mayoral candidates, including Cuomo and Lander, slammed the threats.
While Mamdani’s liberal movement on affordability has found traction in the city and has made him unexpectedly close with Cuomo, his stances on Israel and failure to condemn “globalize the intifada” could alienate Lander and other voters in New York.
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Last month, Lander explained why he felt “globalize the intifada” was not the best choice of phrase for those who genuinely meant it well.
“If you say ‘globalize the Intifada,’ you are at the very least, playing with vague language and leaving it unclear,” whether you mean to support Palestinian human rights or to commit “violence against Israelis or Jews.”