New York City’s Democratic mayoral nominee, Zohran Mamdani, is facing a storm of renewed criticism after a 2023 video resurfaced in which he drew a provocative link between the New York Police Department (NYPD) and the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).  

“We have to make clear that when the boot of the NYPD is on your neck, it’s been laced by the IDF,” Mamdani said in the clip, which was filmed during a Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) convention two years ago. The footage has since gone viral, sparking bipartisan outrage and raising fresh concerns about Mamdani’s views toward law enforcement and America’s ally, Israel.

The comment, widely condemned as inflammatory and divisive, comes at a sensitive moment in Mamdani’s campaign, as he continues to battle accusations of harboring anti-Israel and anti-police sentiments. Critics say his rhetoric reflects a radical ideological strain that seeks to delegitimize both local law enforcement and the Jewish state by framing them as instruments of systemic oppression.

“This is beyond offensive — it’s dangerous,” one NYPD union representative said in response to the resurfaced remarks. “To compare our officers to a foreign military, let alone in such a derogatory context, is a slap in the face to everyone who risks their life protecting this city.”

Pro-Israel groups and Jewish community leaders also expressed alarm, describing Mamdani’s past statements as emblematic of a growing hostility toward Israel within segments of the progressive left. “Equating the NYPD with the IDF isn’t criticism — it’s demonization,” said one leader of a New York-based Jewish advocacy organization. “It’s rhetoric that fuels hatred and distorts reality.”

Mamdani, responding on Tuesday, did not retract the statement but attempted to contextualize it, saying his comments were aimed at “highlighting shared tactics of surveillance and suppression” — an explanation that did little to calm critics. Opponents argue that such rhetoric undermines community trust and aligns with extremist narratives that vilify Israel and police alike.

The controversy adds to a growing list of incidents from Mamdani’s record that have resurfaced during his mayoral bid, including past calls to defund the NYPD and his participation in anti-Israel rallies. His campaign has sought to refocus attention on economic issues and housing policy, but the reemergence of the 2023 clip has reignited debates over whether his worldview is compatible with the responsibilities of New York’s highest municipal office.

As the city’s election approaches, the backlash underscores a broader ideological struggle within the Democratic Party — between its traditional pro-Israel, pro-security base and an ascendant progressive wing increasingly critical of both. For Mamdani, that tension may define not only his campaign, but his political future.