In a move that has sent shockwaves across New York’s political scene, Senator Bernie Sanders reportedly held a behind-closed-doors meeting with NYC mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani, pressuring the rising progressive star to clarify his stance on Israel amid mounting concerns that his rhetoric could be crossing into dangerous, antisemitic territory.

Sources familiar with the conversation say Sanders, himself Jewish and historically aligned with progressive causes in the Middle East, was visibly concerned by Mamdani’s use—or tacit endorsement—of the incendiary phrase “globalize the intifada,” which has been widely interpreted by many as a call to violence. While Mamdani has so far defended his position as being critical of the Israeli government’s policies toward Palestinians, Sanders reportedly did not hold back in urging him to reconsider the tone, timing, and potential implications of his statements—especially in a city like New York, home to the largest Jewish population outside of Israel.

“This isn’t just about Israel or Palestine anymore,” Sanders allegedly said, according to an aide present during the conversation. “Words matter. And when you’re running for mayor of New York City, you don’t get to play with fire and then say it’s just a metaphor.”

The phrase “globalize the intifada” has become a lightning rod for controversy among young progressives in recent years. While some on the far left interpret it as a call for global solidarity with oppressed peoples, others see it as a dangerous glorification of violent uprisings—particularly given the original intifadas in Israel-Palestine were marked by widespread violence, suicide bombings, and civilian casualties.

Mamdani, a New York State Assemblyman known for his affiliation with the Democratic Socialists of America and his outspoken support for Palestinian rights, has not apologized. In fact, some insiders suggest he doubled down in the conversation with Sanders, arguing that “being silenced by accusations of antisemitism is exactly how the establishment has avoided accountability for decades of complicity in apartheid.”

But Sanders, who has walked a delicate line between defending Palestinian rights and confronting antisemitism within the left, reportedly did not buy that framing. “Criticizing a government is one thing. But when the language you use turns into a weapon against an entire people, you’ve crossed a line,” he allegedly told Mamdani, raising concerns about whether such rhetoric could further inflame tensions in an already divided city.

Jewish leaders across the political spectrum have reacted with a mixture of outrage and cautious optimism. Rabbi David Karpelowitz of Manhattan’s Temple Sinai told reporters, “We appreciate Senator Sanders stepping in. Mamdani’s rhetoric is not only divisive—it’s dangerous. He’s either ignorant of history or is using coded language to rally extremists.”

Others, particularly on the left, see the controversy as a calculated political attack. “Let’s be clear,” said pro-Palestinian activist Sarah Abdelmalik, “this is about punishing Zohran for speaking uncomfortable truths. ‘Globalize the intifada’ means resisting oppression everywhere. It’s only seen as violent when the oppressed speak up.”

Still, the political stakes couldn’t be higher. Mamdani, long considered a grassroots favorite among progressives, was gaining momentum in a city desperate for change. But this latest controversy has not only exposed internal fractures within the left—it’s opened the door for more moderate and conservative candidates to paint Mamdani as radical and reckless.

In a hastily organized press conference following news of the Sanders meeting, Mamdani stopped short of walking back his comments but acknowledged the criticism. “I understand the concerns being raised,” he said. “But let me be clear: opposing apartheid is not antisemitic. I will not apologize for standing with the oppressed. What I will do is ensure my language uplifts, not divides.”

The fallout from the Sanders-Mamdani conversation may not be immediate, but the long-term consequences are already taking shape. With the NYC mayoral race heating up and tensions around Middle East politics at a boiling point, Mamdani’s words—and his refusal to retreat from them—may prove to be a defining moment in the race.

For now, Bernie Sanders has drawn his line in the sand. Whether Mamdani heeds that warning, or turns it into fuel for a more defiant campaign, remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the fight for the soul of progressive politics in America’s most watched city just got a lot messier.