![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/gillibrand.avif\")
<\/a><\/p>\nSen. Kirsten Gillibrand speaks at a press conference on the World Trade Center Health Program at the U.S. Capitol on May 13, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Kevin Dietsch\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
In an interview with WNYC Thursday, Gillibrand told host Brian Lehrer that she had spoken to Mamdani the day prior to congratulate him on his victory, but replied \u201cnot today\u201d when asked if she would be endorsing him.<\/p>\n
\u201cI raised some issues that, if he does become the mayor, will be very important that we not only work on together, but I raised some concerns that I had,\u201d said Gillibrand of the call with Mamdani.<\/p>\n
Gillibrand\u2019s post-election comments contrast sharply with those of her fellow New York senator, House Minority Leader Charles Schumer, and U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadler, a Democrat from the Upper West Side of Manhattan.<\/p>\n
Following Mamdani\u2019s victory, Schumer, who is Jewish, offered brief praise for the candidate in an X post but did not refer to the discussion over Mamdani\u2019s views on Israel.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have known @ZohranKMamdani since we worked together to provide debt relief for thousands of beleaguered taxi drivers & fought to stop a fracked gas plant in Astoria,\u201d Schumer posted on X. \u201cHe ran an impressive campaign that connected with New Yorkers about affordability, fairness, & opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Nadler, representing a historically liberal, Jewish district, endorsed the 33-year-old progressive in the November election, saying, \u201cI\u2019ve spoken to him today about his commitment to fighting antisemitism, and we\u2019ll work with all New Yorkers to fight against all bigotry and hate.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gillibrand said she too spoke with Mamdani in a phone call after the primary but plans to sit down with him in person.<\/p>\n
Mamadani drew heat from Jewish leaders last week when he declined to condemn the phrase \u201cGlobalize the intifada\u201d while speaking on The Bulwark podcast. He said the phrase, which many Jews see as a call for violent attacks on Jews and Israelis, instead signifies \u201ca desperate desire for equality and equal rights.\u201d He said he wouldn\u2019t repudiate the phrase because \u201cthe role of the mayor is not to police language.\u201d<\/p>\n
In the WNYC interview, Gillibrand called on Mamdani to denounce the phrase, stating that it has been used to mean \u201cslaughter the Jews and destroy Israel.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAs 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,\u201d said Gillibrand. \u201cThat\u2019s it. Period. You can\u2019t celebrate it. You can\u2019t value it. You can\u2019t lift it up.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you hear things like intifada, when you hear things like jihad, when you hear \u2018from the river to the sea,\u2019 it is received as slaughter the Jews and destroy Israel. Period. It\u2019s how it\u2019s received,\u201d Gillibrand continued.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you want to be a leader, you have to recognize how these things are felt and received. Saying there should be no word police is irresponsible, because as a leader, you have to protect everyone. Period,\u201d said Gillbrand.<\/p>\n
Mamdani is considered the favorite in the November election, where Democratic nominees for mayor traditionally have a huge advantage.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is something I care deeply about, and so I will be an advocate on these issues. These are things that I think are important to New Yorkers,\u201d Gillibrand said, referring to his comments on the Middle East.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd I will work with him when he gets elected, if he gets elected, to make sure everyone is protected.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mamdani\u2019s defenders have said too much emphasis has been put on his background as an advocate for Palestinians, a supporter of the boycott Israel movement and a critic of Israel, saying his job will be to run New York, not foreign policy.<\/p>\n