Zohran Mamdani Faces Intense Scrutiny Over Alleged Ties to Extremist Views Following Mayoral Primary Win

New York City — Zohran Mamdani, the presumptive Democratic nominee for New York City Mayor and a sitting New York State Assembly member, is facing a torrent of accusations regarding alleged sympathies for extremist views, intensified by a recent tweet that claims he met with an individual advocating for plane hijackings and suicide bombings. The tweet, posted by Eyal Yakoby, has fueled a wave of criticism from conservative circles and Republican politicians, casting a shadow over Mamdani's mayoral bid.

The tweet, from "Eyal Yakoby," states:

"BREAKING: Mohammed, who has openly advocated for plane hijackings and suicide bombings, says that he has had meetings with Zohran Mamdani via telephone and in person. Mohammed isn’t even a U.S. citizen, let alone resident of NYC. Why is Zohran speaking with him?"

While no specific individual named "Mohammed" with such a public advocacy record and recent direct meetings with Mamdani has been identified, the allegations echo broader Islamophobic attacks Mamdani has faced. These include claims labeling him a "Hamas terrorist sympathizer" and "jihadist terrorist" in the wake of his surprising primary victory. Mamdani, a Ugandan-born naturalized U.S. citizen, has been a vocal critic of Israeli government policies, leading to significant backlash.

Accusations against Mamdani have centered on past statements and actions. Reports highlight a 2017 rap song where he expressed "love" for the "Holy Land Five," individuals convicted of funding Hamas. His refusal to condemn the phrase "globalize the intifada" and resurfaced 2015 tweets questioning FBI surveillance of al-Qaeda operative Anwar al-Awlaki have also drawn sharp criticism. These elements are frequently cited by opponents to portray him as a threat to New York City's safety.

Republican politicians, including Representative Andy Ogles, have called for Mamdani's deportation and an investigation into his citizenship, alleging he concealed material support for terrorism. Far-right commentators have also invoked the September 11 attacks, suggesting a Mamdani mayoralty could lead to a similar event. Mamdani's campaign has reported receiving death threats amidst this escalating rhetoric.

Eyal Yakoby, the author of the inciting tweet, is known as the founder of "Students Against Antisemitism." His social media presence is dedicated to exposing what he perceives as antisemitic and anti-Israel incidents on college campuses, aligning with a pro-Israel narrative. Mamdani, a practicing Shia Muslim, has consistently condemned antisemitism and affirmed Israel's right to exist as a state with equal rights for all its citizens, while maintaining his criticism of the Israeli government. The ongoing controversy underscores the intense political and cultural divisions surrounding the upcoming mayoral election.