Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) introduced a bipartisan resolution Thursday condemning the slogan “Globalize the Intifada” as a call to violence against Israeli and Jewish people.
The resolution, co-sponsored by Rep. Rudy Yakym (R-Ind.), was unveiled one day after Gottheimer and other Democratic lawmakers met with New York City mayoral candidate Zoharan Mamdani in Washington, DC.
Mamdani has repeatedly refused to condemn the slogan, which is frequently used by anti-Israel activists in the Big Apple.
“There should be no ambiguity — ‘Globalize the Intifada’ is hate speech, plain and simple,” Gottheimer said in a statement. “‘The Intifada’ refers to a horrific wave of terror attacks that killed thousands of Jews. Globalizing it is a direct call for violence against Jews, and it must be condemned.”
Mamdani, an outspoken critic of Israel, has both awkwardly defended activists’ use of “globalize the intifada” and has flat-out refused to condemn it on several occasions.
The Queens assemblyman described the chant as an adage that reflects the “desperate desire for equality and equal rights in standing up for Palestinian human rights,” in an interview with the Bulwark last month that went viral.
Mamdani later repeatedly refused to condemn the slogan, viewed by some as a call for violence against Jews, in an interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
“That’s not language that I use. The language that I use and the language that I will continue to use to lead this city is that which speaks clearly to my intent, which is an intent grounded in a belief in universal human rights,” he told host Kristen Welker on June 29.
“I don’t believe that the role of the mayor is to police speech in that manner.”
Gottheimer appeared skeptical of Mamdani after his meeting with the far-left pol.
“I don’t think higher taxes, anti-job creating socialism and an acceptance of antisemitic rhetoric is the right direction for America,” he told NOTUS. “That said, I am always open to learning how I can reach more people with my commonsense, problem-solving approach.”
The Garden State lawmaker argued Thursday that it is “insane and unacceptable” that “Globalize the Intifada” chants are “spreading rampant across our country,” declaring that “everyone” should be against such “hate speech.”
The slogan has long been associated with violent uprisings against Israel, and since the Oct. 7, 2023, terror attack on the Jewish state it has become a rallying cry for activists protesting Israel’s war against Hamas.
“Words like these incite violence, fuel hate, and put Jewish families at risk,” the congressman, who is Jewish, added.
In April, the Anti-Defamation League reported 2024 as the worst year ever recorded for antisemitic incidents in the US.
ADL found a record-breaking 9,354 incidents of antisemitic assault, harassment and vandalism across the country last year, representing a 5% increase from 2023 and a 344% increase over the past five years.
“At a time when antisemitic violence is at record highs, we must stand united to condemn this antisemitic hate speech and take meaningful action to combat rising Jew hatred,” Gottheimer said.
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