1. United States
2. N.J.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my outrage at Senator Kirsten Gillibrand's recent public statements targeting Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani with racist and anti-Islamic smears. In media interviews, she falsely claimed that Mamdani invoked "global jihad" and that the phrase "intifada" means "kill all Jews." Both claims are completely unfounded, and both dangerously inflame anti-Muslim bigotry. Assembly Member Mamdani has never used the word "intifada" or the phrase "global jihad." His record reflects none of the hateful rhetoric Gillibrand attributes to him. In fact, her statements appear designed to incite fear and marginalize a Muslim elected official simply for advocating for Palestinian rights.