Cuomo, Sliwa blast Mamdani over antisemitism stance during mayoral debate

In final debate before New York mayoral election, Zohran Mamdani finds himself on the defensive over his stance on Israel and accusations he is soft on antisemitism.

By World Israel News Staff

Antisemitism, New York Jewry, the State of Israel and the war in Gaza were highlighted in the second and final New York City mayoral election debate, which at times left the frontrunner, New York State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, on the defensive.

On Wednesday night, the three primary candidates in next month’s mayoral election squared off at LaGuardia Community College in Queens.

Mamdani faced off against former Governor Andrew Cuomo and conservative pundit and Republican activist Curtis Sliwa in a three-way debate that frequently touched on national and even international issues.

Both Cuomo and Sliwa questioned Mamdani’s ability to govern America’s most populous city, citing the 34-year-old’s youth and inexperience, and derided the frontrunner’s sweeping proposals as unrealistic and even detrimental.

As with the October 16th debate, however, Wednesday’s event often swerved away from city politics, veering into foreign affairs.

Amid ongoing criticism of his comments on Israel and the war in Gaza, Mamdani pledged to represent all New Yorkers, including those opposed to his stance on the Middle East.

“I look forward to being a mayor for every single person that calls the city home,” Mamdani said. “All 8.5 million New Yorkers, and that includes Jewish New Yorkers who may have concerns or opposition to the positions that I’ve shared about Israel and Palestine.”

In response, both Cuomo and Sliwa blasted Mamdani over his refusal to denounce anti-Jewish slogans such as “Globalize the Intifada” and his false assertions that Israel has committed genocide in the Gaza Strip.

Cuomo noted that a group of hundreds of American rabbis had signed on to a letter by a group called The Jewish Majority, blasting Mamdani for refusing “to condemn violent slogans,” denying “Israel’s legitimacy,” and accusing Israel of genocide.

The letter, backed by 840 signatories – 650 at the time of the debate, with more signing on hours later – quoted New York Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch, accusing Mamdani of delegitimizing the Jewish community and encouraging hostility towards Jews.

“You’re the savior of the Jewish people?” Cuomo asked rhetorically. “You won’t denounce ‘Globalize the Intifada,’ which means ‘Kill Jews.’”

“It was not several rabbis around, but it was 650 rabbis,” Cuomo added. “Not everything is a TikTok video.”

“There’s unprecedented fear in New York.”

Sliwa, whose sons are Jewish, said Mamdani was fanning “the flames of antisemitism.”

“Let me speak on behalf of my two sons when they’ve heard some of the statements you’ve made,” Sliwa said. “They view you as the arsonist who fans the flames of antisemitism. They cannot suddenly accept the fact that you’re coming in like a firefighter and you’re going to put out these flames. You’ve got a lot of explaining to do, a lot of apologizing to do.”