Larry Elder: Mamdani: Democrats' antisemitism problem

Op-ed views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author.

For the Democratic hard left, the good news is that Zohran Mamdani, a self-described “Democratic socialist” with a long history of what many consider antisemitism and anti-Israel activism, won the Democratic primary for mayor of New York. The bad news for the Democratic left is that he will likely win.

It’s no surprise that President Donald Trump is not popular in New York, where a New York City judge found him liable in a ridiculous business fraud case and where a Manhattan jury convicted him of an equally ridiculous criminal charge of election interference. A recent poll of New York state Jewish, Protestant, Catholic, Hispanic, Black, and white voters found Trump’s approval rating underwater with every racial, ethnic, and religious group, except one.

According to a late June Siena College poll, with Catholic New York voters, Trump is at 50% disapproval and 49% approval; 79% of blacks disapprove and 19% approve; 67% of Hispanics disapprove and 26% approve; 51% of whites disapprove and 47% approve.

But with New York Jewish voters, 42% disapprove and 57% approve, up from the 46% New York Jewish vote Trump received in the November 2024 presidential election. What’s going on? Yes, socialism is increasingly popular with some Democrats who agree with Mamdani’s zany proposals, such as freezing New York City rents and the public ownership of grocery stores. But the Democrats have an antisemitism problem.

Democratic House members like Reps. Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar make incendiary comments about Jews and Israel with little or no pushback from Democratic leaders. New York’s Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez belongs to the pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel Democratic Socialists of America, with a platform that supports the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement against Israel.

AOC and Sen. Bernie Sanders, a longtime DSA member who recently held a New York town hall with Mamdani, berate Democratic leaders like House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer for refusing to officially endorse Mamdani — so far, that is.

Sanders said, “I find it hard to understand how the major Democratic leaders in New York State are not supporting the Democratic candidate. … One might think that if a candidate starting at 2% in the polls, gets 50,000 volunteers, creates enormous excitement, gets young people involved in the political process, gets non-traditional voters to vote, Democratic leaders will be jumping up and down, ‘This is our guy!'”

But Schumer, as far back as his 2014 speech before the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, said: “Those who call for boycotts of Israel without calling for boycotts of other neighboring nations whose human rights records are in fact reprehensible are practicing, whether they know it or not, whether they admit it or not, a modern form of what we call anti-Semitism.” Can Schumer, with any shred of credibility, endorse the rabidly pro-BDS Mamdani?

During the campaign, Mamdani refused to denounce the offensive antisemitic slogan “globalize the intifada.” But, days ago, Mamdani did an interview with MSNBC host the Rev. Al Sharpton, never mind Sharpton’s own history of antisemitism. In a reversal, Mamdani told Sharpton he would now “discourage” the term “globalize the intifada.”

A few clarifying follow-up questions would have been helpful:

1. What about the slogan “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free”? Would Mamdani also “discourage” that expression?

2. What about Mamdani’s long-held support for Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions against Israel, a movement Schumer calls “antisemitic”? Does Mamdani still consider BDS ” … a legitimate movement when you are seeking to find compliance with international law …”?

3. In the interview, Mamdani characterized Israel as engaging in the occupation of “Palestinian land.” But the United States State Department does not recognize “Palestine” as an independent state. Does Mamdani?

4. Does Mamdani still accuse Israel of committing “genocide” in Gaza?

5. Does Mamdani still call Israel an “apartheid” state?

6. Does Mamdani believe Israel has a right to exist as a Jewish state?

7. Does Mamdani consider Hamas, an organization calling for the destruction of Israel, a “Foreign Terrorist Organization,” as has the U.S. State Department since 1997?

8. Has Mamdani ever called on Hamas to release all the Oct. 7 hostages?

Finally, AOC, Bernie Sanders, and Zohran Mamdani walk into a bar and shout, “Hey, drinks are on you!” That’s OK. A lot of New Yorkers are not laughing either.

Larry Elder is a bestselling author and nationally syndicated radio talk-show host. To find out more about Larry Elder, or become an “Elderado,” visit www.LarryElder.com. Follow Larry on X @larryelder. To read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate webpage at www.creators.com.

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