Holocaust Museum Criticizes Zohran Mamdani For 'Exploiting' It To 'Sanitize' The Term 'Globalize The Intifada'

The Holocaust Museum criticized New York City Mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani after he said that the word intifada was used by the institution when translating the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising during World War II, claiming he was seeking to "sanitize" the chant "globalize the intifada."

In a podcast interview with The Bulwark, Mamdani was asked about the banning of certain terms. He said he was "less comfortable the idea of banning the use of certain words," claiming "it's more evocative of a Trump-style approach on how to lead a country."

The candidate was then asked if the terms "globalize the intifada," and "from the river to the sea," chanted in pro-Palestine marches and activities, were included. "I know people for whom those mean very different things. to me, what i hear, is a desperate desire for equality and equal rights in standing up for Palestinian human rights," Mamdani said.

"What's difficult also is the very word has been used by the Holocaust Museum when translating the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising into Arabic because it's a word that means struggle. as a Muslim man who grew up post 9/11 I'm all too familiar in the way in which Arabic words can be distorted to justify any kind of meaning. We need to focus on keeping Jewish New Yorkers safe," the candidate, who has been critical of the Israeli government, added. He went on to say that antisemitism is a "real issue" and plans to address it if elected.

The Holocaust Museum reacted to the video on Wednesday, saying "exploiting the Museum and the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising to sanitize 'globalize the intifada' is outrageous and especially offensive to survivors." "Since 1987 Jews have been attacked and murdered under its banner. All leaders must condemn its use and the abuse of history," the institution added, in reference to the first Intifada that took place that year and in which 127 Israelis and 3,162 Palestinians died. There have been several deadly events labeled as intifadas ever since.

Mamdani is polling in second place ahead of the mayoral elections that will take place next Tuesday behind former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who has presented himself as a staunch supporter of Israel. According to Jewish Insider, Mamdani has "declined to acknowledge Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state and said he would divest from Israel if elected."