Mamdani Doubles Down on AIPAC ‘Monsters’ Remark

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani defended his use of the word “monsters” to describe AIPAC, despite warnings from Jewish leaders that the language was reckless and could inflame antisemitism.

The controversy erupted days before today’s closely watched Democratic primaries in New York, where Mamdani is using his political influence to support progressive, left-wing, democratic socialist-backed candidates.

At a rally last week, Mamdani attacked the pro-Israel lobbying group while campaigning for Brad Lander, Claire Valdez and Darializa Avila Chevalier. Sen. Bernie Sanders also joined the rally, where AIPAC’s role in Democratic politics was sharply criticized.

“Monsters take many forms today,” Mamdani said at the rally, including “AIPAC, for whom the only thing more frightening than democracy being allowed to run its course is an end to genocide and Netanyahu’s wars.”

He also claimed that AIPAC’s “goal” is “to turn us against one another.”

Asked Monday about concerns from members of the Jewish community, including Democratic Rep. Josh Gottheimer, Mamdani did not retract the remark. Instead, he said his criticism was directed at what he called an immoral status quo in Gaza and across the region.

“I think it is important that when we ask ourselves how such death and destruction is happening overseas, we also name those who allow it to take place,” Mamdani said.

He accused AIPAC of defending that status quo through both direct political contributions and other forms of campaign spending.

“Oftentimes they also support the status quo through dark money,” he said, adding that money previously tied directly to AIPAC could be routed through other organizations whose donors are disclosed only after an election.

Mamdani later said he had been quoting Italian anti-fascist philosopher Antonio Gramsci, whose line about “the time of monsters” he cited at the beginning of his speech.

“I used the term to describe all those who are preventing the birth of a new world,” Mamdani said.

But even while saying he was not referring only to AIPAC, Mamdani again singled out the organization, accusing it of backing “a status quo for immorality.”

Jewish leaders said the explanation did not resolve the concern. Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz, senior rabbi at Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, said Mamdani’s language effectively accused pro-Israel Jews of supporting genocide.

“He’s turning to AIPAC and saying, ‘AIPAC desires genocide.’ He’s saying that I, a supporter of AIPAC, desire genocide,” Steinmetz said.

The Anti-Defamation League, the Simon Wiesenthal Center and the Combat Antisemitism Movement also criticized Mamdani’s remarks. Jewish organizations that supported Mamdani, including IfNotNow and Jews For Racial and Economic Justice, did not respond to requests for comment by press time.

The dispute comes as Mamdani is trying to prove that his political movement can shape congressional primaries beyond his own mayoral victory. His endorsements have placed him against parts of the Democratic establishment, including candidates supported by Gov. Kathy Hochul and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

Early voting turnout was under 173,000, raising questions over whether Mamdani’s preferred candidates could reproduce the energy that helped bring him to City Hall.

Political analyst JC Polanco said Mamdani appeared to be using the Israel issue to mobilize voters who supported him last year.

“What he’s doing is politicizing Palestine, politicizing Israel, politicizing what’s happening in the Middle East to try to see if he could excite the same people that came out to support him last year,” Polanco said.

Tuesday’s vote will test whether Mamdani’s anti-AIPAC message can help his candidates break through in New York, or whether the backlash from Jewish leaders becomes a warning sign for his broader political project.