NYC Mayoral Frontrunner Mamdani Flip Flops On Key Position
New York City mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani (D) has shifted his stance on the controversial phrase “globalize the intifada,” saying he would now “discourage” its use. Speaking on MSNBC’s PoliticsNation with Al Sharpton, Mamdani said his change of heart came after a conversation with a rabbi who associated the phrase with past terrorist attacks in Israel.
Mamdani, a 33-year-old Democratic Socialist and leading candidate to replace Mayor Eric Adams, acknowledged a “gap in intent” between how the phrase is used by some to protest Israeli occupation and how it is received by many in the Jewish community as a violent threat. He emphasized the importance of representing all New Yorkers, saying his role as mayor would be to understand and bridge differing perspectives.
The American Jewish Committee has defined the phrase as a call for “aggressive resistance against Israel.” Mamdani’s comments Sunday mark a departure from June, when he told NBC’s Meet the Press the phrase was “not language that I use,” but also said it wasn’t his role to “police” speech.
Mamdani’s updated position was first reported in July by The New York Times after a private meeting. Since then, he has tried to balance progressive support with broader electoral appeal, especially in a city with large and politically diverse Jewish and Arab communities.
Over the weekend, Mamdani campaigned with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who criticized billionaire Elon Musk’s wealth during a Brooklyn town hall. Mamdani has also promoted a plan for city-run grocery stores, which he defended in a CNN interview on Friday.
A group of 12 children and their trusty Yorkshire terrier, Molly, became unexpected heroes after helping police catch two burglary suspects in Surrey. Dubbed the “Tremendous Twelve,” the kids gained nationwide attention for their quick thinking when they formed a human arrow on the ground to guide a police helicopter toward the fleeing criminals.
The young heroes, aged six to twelve, were out on an Easter egg hunt near Capel when they noticed a police helicopter circling overhead. Curious, they soon spotted a man running across the field, removing his jumper and wrapping it around his head to hide his face.
Realizing what was happening, the kids began shouting and waving to alert the pilot, but when that didn’t work, two of them had a brilliant idea — to lie down in the shape of an arrow pointing in the suspect’s direction.
Within moments, the helicopter pilot noticed the formation and radioed officers on the ground, who quickly moved in. Thanks to the children’s clever teamwork, two men, aged 27 and 28, were caught and questioned for burglary at a nearby farm.
“The police said they thought we were playing at first,” said one of the children, “but then they followed our arrow and caught the men. We feel really proud — it was awesome.”
The video of the children’s “human arrow” was later released by Surrey Police and quickly went viral online, earning the group praise from people around the world.
One parent, Ben Brearley, said the experience felt “like something straight out of Scooby-Doo or an Enid Blyton story.” The kids, he added, loved every moment of it.
Sergeant Paul Sochon of Surrey Police commended their quick thinking, saying, “The initiative they displayed was vital.” These brave young adventurers proved that heroes can come in all ages — and with four paws, too.