December 29, 2025
Topic Jews Topic Israel Topic Usa
🎥 Zohran Mamdani captured the NYC mayoral election riding a wave not only of popularity but also of controversy. He was once an aspiring rapper with a song giving his love to the convicted jihadists (sentenced to up to 65 years in prison for terrorism-related crimes) known as the "Holy Land Five." [1] He has made accusations of Israel committing genocide [2] and supported the BDS movement (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) [3]. He did not criticize Hamas [4] nor discourage use of the slogan, "Globalize the intifada," [5] a clear incitement of violence toward Jews on a global scale, until he faced intense media scrutiny. Despite all this, one third of the Jewish population of NYC still voted for him [6]. How could this happen? Why would it happen?
In order to answer this question, it is necessary to delve into the history of the Jewish diaspora. Join our host, Milan Podlipny, and our guest, historian Udi Manor [7] as they explore the concept of belonging and how much Jews sacrificed to try to fit into various societies at different times in history. This conversation is salient for all people and is sure to leave you pondering questions of belonging, identity, and authenticity and how people cope when faced with overwhelming pressure to fit in.
Grab yourself a coffee.
It's time for PI.
Sources:
[1] a] https://nypost.com/2025/06/21/us-news/socialist-nyc-mayoral-candidate-zohran-mamdani-once-rapped-about-his-love-for-hamas-teror-funding-group-holy-land-five/ , b] https://soundcloud.com/zohrankwame/salaam (go to 2:31), c] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Land_Foundation_for_Relief_and_Development
[2] https://www.jewishtimes.com/what-zohran-mamdani-has-actually-said-about-jews-and-israel/
[3] https://forward.com/news/733657/zohran-mamdani-gaza-israel-jews-antisemitism/
[4] https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-859044
[5] https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-858242
[6] a] https://edition.cnn.com/2025/11/06/politics/jewish-new-york-mamdani-mayor , b] https://www.jta.org/2025/11/05/politics/mamdani-wins-33-of-the-jewish-vote-in-nyc-compared-to-63-for-cuomo-exit-poll-shows
[7] https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=6ost7zcAAAAJ&hl=en (academic work of Udi Manor)
Mentioned during the podcast:
- Pact of Umar, The Status of Non-Muslims Under Islamic Rule
https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/source/pact-umar.asp - Is Israel Legal? Do the Jewish People Have the Right to the Land of Israel?
https://youtu.be/K_oadI5DxW0 - Female Genital Mutilation in Islamic Doctrine
https://youtu.be/oqVxXJZTltw - Islamic Peace Agreements—Do They Last?
https://www.cspii.org/learn-political-islam/new-articles/islamic-peace-agreements-do-they-last/