Kirsten Gillibrand Apologizes To Zohran Mamdani Over Anti-Muslim Comments

[Jilly_in_VA]

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) apologized to New York City Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani on Monday after facing swift backlash for Islamophobic comments she recently made in a radio interview about her fellow New York Democrat.

The senator spoke over the phone with the state assemblymember and “apologized for mischaracterizing Mamdani’s record and for her tone in the interview,” according to a readout of the conversation that Gillibrand’s office first provided to Politico on Tuesday.

Last Thursday, Gillibrand appeared on WNYC’s “The Brian Lehrer Show” and responded to a caller’s unfounded claims that Mamdani, who is Muslim, is a threat to Jewish safety. The senator went on an angry tirade and, despite Lehrer’s repeated fact-checks, falsely accused Mamdani of using and supporting the phrases “global jihad” and “globalize the intifada.”

Mamdani has repeatedly said that he personally does not use those terms, but that he will not outright condemn them because he does not want to use his position as mayor to suppress speech. Instead, he stressed his plans to protect all New Yorkers — including the Jewish community — by investing in programs that combat hate crimes.

Both “jihad” and “intifada” are Arabic terms that, over time, have come to be misunderstood in the West as synonymous with religious violence. The word “intifada” is most commonly used to describe decades-old Palestinian resistance against the Israeli occupation. While “globalize the intifada” is often used in solidarity with Palestinians, some perceive it to suggest violence against the Jewish community.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/kirsten-gillibrand-apologizes-zohran-mamdani-comments_n_6864615ee4b0a75414b04286

She must have been told to. Doesn't make me like her any better but she IS a Democrat (sigh)

[Pisces]

1. No, her true feelings were expressed for all to see. She felt it was acceptable because Mamdani is Muslim.

This is just pure racism. She may be a Democrat but she is also a racist. I would vote accordingly if lived in her state.

[rzemanfl]

2. Did she ever apologize to Al Franken? n/t

[Emile]

3. Did she apologize privately or on another radio show?

[hlthe2b]

4. "Must have been told to..."

My thoughts exactly. So, Gillibrand... how about another meaningless (and insincere) apology for Al Franken (and yes, SHE DID get the ball rolling on his ouster for her own perceived benefit--no matter how many others jumped on the same bandwagon. I am fully aware there were many on that last score)...

She's a Dem so I want her to succeed as a Senator representing our party and I am not trying to overly disparage her, but damn... At least she's no Krysten Sinema.

[Nanjeanne]

5. What this shows me is how good Mamdani is. His ability to navigate the nastiness and look past

her insults to create a coalition and an ability to find a way to work together is very impressive. This you g man is politically savvy and will have a great future.

[Duncan Grant]

6. This is just necessary public relations. That's all.

Gillibrand did this to make it all go away, imho. It’s damage control.

[Passages]

7. After mission accomplished.

Is she going to apologize for her crypto vote?

[rogue emissary]

8. So we now don't mind suppressing speech.