Zohran Mamdani, a self-proclaimed socialist, recently journeyed to Washington, DC, where he engaged in discussions with Democratic lawmakers over breakfast before meeting with Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont.
Sanders, a prominent figure in the Democratic Socialist movement, advised Mamdani to clarify that his views on Israel are not antisemitic, as reported by CNN.
According to The Post Millennial, Sanders had previously endorsed Mamdani in his successful bid against Cuomo in the mayoral primary. During their meeting, Sanders emphasized the importance of Mamdani being cautious when discussing Israel, urging him to articulate that his criticisms are not rooted in antisemitism.
Sanders further advised Mamdani to ensure he does not appear to downplay the genuine fears that Jewish communities in New York and beyond experience due to the threat of antisemitism, as per a source familiar with the conversation.
Mamdani's visit to the capital comes amid controversy surrounding his refusal to denounce the phrase "globalize the intifada," which is often linked to violence against Jews. While Mamdani has expressed a willingness to "discourage it," he has stopped short of rejecting the underlying "idea behind it."
The breakfast meeting was orchestrated by Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a significant supporter of Mamdani in the New York City mayoral race. However, the gathering saw a notable absence of senior Democratic figures, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, with only about 40 lawmakers in attendance. Jeffries is scheduled to meet with Mamdani later in the week and has yet to offer his endorsement.
Some Democrats humorously suggested their invitations were misplaced, while others cited scheduling conflicts as the reason for their absence. Among those present, several lawmakers expressed support for Mamdani's progressive policies.
Representative Mark Takano of California remarked, Theres not a lot of difference between a government-run grocery store and some sort of co-op, defending Mamdani's proposal for government-operated grocery stores, which reportedly stemmed from an accounting error.
As Mamdani continues to navigate the political landscape, his interactions with influential figures like Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez highlight the complexities of aligning socialist ideals with broader Democratic strategies.
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