New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani delivered a blistering speech in Brooklyn ahead of the Democratic congressional primaries, accusing the pro-Israel lobbying group AIPAC of exerting “improper influence” over American politics. The rally included Sen. Bernie Sanders.
Mamdani said, “The monsters we are facing take many forms,” then turned his attack on AIPAC, calling it an organization “that is more afraid than anything of letting democracy do its thing than ending the genocide and Netanyahu’s wars.” He added that AIPAC funnels “millions of dollars in dark money” to serve one goal, preserving its power so it can pit people against each other instead of forcing leaders toward “the moral change we all know is necessary.”
He also criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the conduct of the war in Gaza. Mamdani endorsed congressional candidate Claire Valdez, saying that while other Democrats looked away as Netanyahu committed “war crimes,” Valdez not only called it “genocide” but also worked for a ceasefire.
Later in the speech, Mamdani urged Jews, along with others, to support progressive candidates. “Whether you pray in a synagogue, a mosque, a church, or not at all, we all believe our city deserves leaders who lead with hope, not fear,” he said.