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FIRST ON FOX: Mahmood Mamdani, a professor at Columbia University and father of socialist mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani from New York City, has a social media history filled with anti-Israel remarks and admiration for radical activists, as uncovered by a Fox News Digital examination.
Mamdani, now 79, is part of the advisory council for an anti-Israel organization advocating for boycotts and sanctions against Israel. His posts on X, the social media platform, frequently include terms such as ‘settlers’ and ‘colonialism’ when he discusses Israel.
On May 21, 2021, amid a violent conflict between Israel and Hamas, Mamdani wrote on social media that as all ranks of the Occupation claim ‘the right of self-defense’, the language left for those resisting becomes the right to reply. This statement underscores his viewpoint on the ongoing conflict.
Earlier that same month, he claimed that the resistance began in Jerusalem, spreading to Gaza, the West Bank, and Palestinian communities worldwide. He characterized this event as more significant than a mere conflict between Israel and Hamas, suggesting it marks the emergence of the Third Intifadah against settler colonialism.
The call for a Third Intifadah, or global uprising, has drawn scrutiny from Jewish organizations, particularly as Zohran Mamdani has faced criticism for not condemning these sentiments.
Mahmood Mamdani’s statements reflect his belief that Palestinians possess a right to resist what he terms as a colonial occupation, a notion he reiterated online. His comments suggest a deep-seated ideological stance that challenges mainstream narratives regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
This rhetoric has contributed to an ongoing controversy involving both Mahmood and Zohran Mamdani. As they navigate the mayoral race, accusations of antisemitism have emerged from various Jewish groups, a charge that Mahmood has actively contested.
In a striking incident from October 2014, Mamdani shared a ‘tribute’ to Ali Mazrui, an African political activist with a controversial history of anti-Jewish statements. Those who study Mamdani’s connections highlight this relationship to illustrate broader concerns regarding his views on Israel.
The growing focus on both Mahmood and Zohran’s statements during the current electoral period spotlights their perspectives on Israel that many regard as troubling. Critics suggest that the university professor’s anti-Israel views inform his son’s political ideology.
Columbia University, where Mahmood teaches anthropology, has been a prominent site for pro-Palestinian activism in the United States. The Canary Mission describes Mahmood as a self-identified Marxist professor whose obsession with colonialism informs his public stance.
Notably, he was involved in a recent incident at Columbia where he and other faculty attempted to obstruct pro-Israel students from participating in university events aimed at addressing the consequences of the Hamas attacks on October 7.
Brooke Goldstein, a human rights lawyer specializing in antisemitism, emphasizes that both Mahmood and Zohran Mamdani share a political ideology marked by radicalism and a tendency to demonize Jewish individuals. She asserts that their beliefs contradict core American values, such as tolerance and liberty.
Goldstein argues that the Mamdani family’s perspectives contribute to an environment that threatens community security and peace. She expresses alarm over the implications of Zohran’s failure to denounce such views, highlighting the need for leaders who unify rather than divide.
In her critique, Goldstein states that Mahmood Mamdani’s worldview has no place in American public life, framing it as a dangerous ideology that corrupts young minds.
As the political landscape evolves, the attention on the Mamdani family raises essential questions about the nature of political discourse, the role of public figures in shaping narratives, and the impact of social media on political campaigns.
Fox News Digital has sought comments from both Mahmood Mamdani and the Mamdani campaign regarding these revelations.
Fox News Digital’s Peter Pinedo contributed to this report.
