New York City Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani is facing renewed scrutiny after a past joke he made in a podcast about an Israeli math teacher and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) recently resurfaced. The comment, originally made "a few years ago," was highlighted in a tweet by user Yehuda Teitelbaum, who described Mamdani as "completely unhinged" and pointed to the exact quote in the podcast.
In the podcast, Mamdani recounted a joke where he suggested his Israeli math teacher was adept at following him because the teacher had "tailed brown guys for a long time" in the IDF. This statement, now recirculated, has reignited discussions about Mamdani's views and rhetoric concerning Israel.
The resurfaced joke adds to a series of controversies that have marked Mamdani's political career and mayoral campaign, particularly concerning his stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He previously drew significant criticism for declining to condemn the phrase "globalize the intifada" during another podcast interview, a stance that was widely interpreted by Jewish organizations and political figures as endorsing violence.
Mamdani, a vocal critic of Israeli policies, has frequently used terms like "genocide" and "apartheid" to describe actions in Gaza. He has consistently defended his statements as advocating for Palestinian human rights and equality, asserting that he aims to hold Israel accountable. His campaign has emphasized his commitment to progressive values and addressing systemic issues.
These controversies have become a prominent feature of the mayoral race, with political rivals leveraging Mamdani's positions on Israel. Former Governor Andrew Cuomo and current Mayor Eric Adams have both criticized Mamdani's comments, while his supporters view his outspokenness as a principled stand consistent with his democratic socialist platform. If elected, Mamdani would be the city's first Muslim and Indian American mayor, campaigning on issues such as affordable housing and the cost of living.