NYC Mayor Mamdani calls AIPAC 'monsters' ahead of New York primaries

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani delivered a scathing critique of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) on Thursday night, calling the organization "monsters" and accusing it of using "dark money" to influence elections.

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The monsters that we are up against, they take many different forms.

Mamdani's remarks came during a rally in Brooklyn, headlined by Sen. Bernie Sanders, aimed at supporting progressive congressional candidates ahead of Tuesday's Democratic primaries. He urged the crowd to back Jewish candidates like former New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, State Assembly member Claire Valdez, and Darializa Avila Chevalier, a former Columbia encampment organizer.

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for whom the only thing more frightening than democracy being allowed to run its course is an end to genocide and Netanyahu’s wars.

In a passionate 30-minute speech, Mamdani also criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's handling of the war in Gaza. He described AIPAC as an entity "for whom the only thing more frightening than democracy being allowed to run its course is an end to genocide and Netanyahu’s wars." He further alleged that the lobby moves "millions in dark money to accomplish a single goal, to preserve their power so that they can turn us against one another instead of our leaders turning towards the moral change we all know to be necessary."

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millions in dark money to accomplish a single goal, to preserve their power so that they can turn us against one another instead of our leaders turning towards the moral change we all know to be necessary.

AIPAC did not respond to a request for comment. The organization has faced increasing scrutiny for its campaign tactics, particularly from progressive Democrats who are increasingly critical of Israel's actions in Gaza. Sanders echoed this sentiment, stating, "The American people understand that a large part of our horrific foreign policy is impacted by AIPAC funding." Mamdani specifically praised Valdez for her opposition to Israel's actions, noting, "When other Democrats chose to look the other way as Netanyahu committed war crimes, Claire didn’t just name the genocide. She organized for a ceasefire." The mayor concluded with an appeal for unity, emphasizing shared values among New Yorkers regardless of religious or cultural background.

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The American people understand that a large part of our horrific foreign policy is impacted by AIPAC funding.