Ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo launched a barrage of assaults on Zohran Mamdani over his stance on Israel and Gaza, slamming the Democratic nominee for refusing to denounce the terror group Hamas and the phrase “Globalize the intifada.”
“The Assemblyman will not denounce Hamas,” Cuomo, who is running as an independent, said during the first general mayoral election debate Thursday night.
Cuomo pointed to Mamdani’s refusal to denounce Hamas. NBC
Mamdani, a socialist state assemblyman from Queens and the front-runner in the race, has taken blows over his belated response to the landmark peace deal announced earlier this week. Getty Images
“The assemblyman will not denounce Hasan Piker, who said America deserved 9/11,” he continued.
“The assemblyman just said in his response, ‘Well, it depends on occupation,’” Cuomo said, referring to Mamdani’s response to the cease-fire deal brokered by the Trump administration.
NYC Mayoral Debate analysis
“That is cold, meaning that the Israel does not have a right to exist as a Jewish state, which he has never acknowledged. That is, from the river to the sea. That’s why he won’t denounce globalize the intifada, which means to kill all Jews,” Cuomo seethed.
The vicious attacks came as Mamdani, a socialist state assemblyman from Queens and the front-runner in the race, took blows over his belated response to the landmark peace deal announced this week.
The anti-Israel critic called for an end to “occupation and apartheid” in his statement while the living Israeli hostages were returned after two years in Hamas captivity.
He also refused to say that the terrorist group should lay down its weapons during a Fox News interview Wednesday.
Here are some key moments from the first NYC mayoral debate
When Mamdani reached the debate stage, he repeated that he understands the hurt caused by the “globalize the intifada” rallying cry and discourages its use.
He also went further against Hamas and argued he has long wanted the terror group to lay down its weapons.
“I’m proud to be one of the first elected officials in the state who called for a ceasefire and calling for a ceasefire means ceasing fire,” he said.
Andrew Cuomo, Curtis Sliwa and Zohran Mamdani participate in a mayoral debate, Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, in New York. AP
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“That means all parties have to cease fire and put down their weapons. And the reason that we call for that is not only for the end of the genocide, but also an unimpeded access of humanitarian aid. I, like many New Yorkers, I’m hopeful that this cease fire will hold. I’m hopeful that it is durable. I’m hopeful that it is just. And for it to be just. We also have to ensure that it addresses the conditions that preceded this.”
The debate at 30 Rockefeller Center, aired by WNBC, is the first of two general election showdowns.
It marks the first time Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa appeared on stage to debate alongside Mamdani and Cuomo, who faced off in the June Democratic primary.
The candidates will square off again next Wednesday on NY1.