Story perspectives

Mayor brands AIPAC ‘monsters,’ backs progressive Brooklyn candidates

6/23/2026

Center

Mamdani Slams AIPAC

Mayor Zohran Mamdani called the American Israel Public Affairs Committee “monsters” for funneling millions of funds to influence 2026 elections.
On June 22, 2026, Mayor Zohran Mamdani addressed a Brooklyn rally, accusing AIPAC of dark-money election influence.
He urged voters to support Brad Lander, Claire Valdez and Darializa Avila Chevalier in primaries.
Senator Bernie Sanders also condemned AIPAC’s role in U.S. foreign policy at the same event.

Right

Mamdani Slams AIPAC

Mayor Zohran Mamdani repeated calling AIPAC “monsters,” insisting he was merely quoting Gramsci despite the phrase being a known misquote.
AIPAC declined to comment when reporters requested a response to Mayor Mamdani’s allegations.
The Anti-Defamation League and Simon Wiesenthal Center condemned the mayor’s remarks as dehumanizing and antisemitic.
Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana called mayor an antisemite, citing Gaza Health Ministry 1,000 Palestinian deaths.

Blindspot

Right coverage highlighted condemnation of the mayor’s remarks by the ADL, Simon Wiesenthal Center, and Israel’s Knesset speaker, which Center did not mention.
Right coverage also noted the mayor’s citation of Gaza Health Ministry figures of over 1,000 Palestinian deaths, an angle absent from Center coverage.

History

Historical Context

Since the 1981 Strategic Cooperation Agreement that linked U.S. and Israeli defense programs, Congress has repeatedly deepened the partnership—most recently with Section 224 of the 2027 NDAA, endorsed by AIPAC on Feb 19 2026 and adding $750 million for joint projects. The move revives long-standing concerns, echoed by Mayor Mamdani’s claim of AIPAC’s influence on 2026 primaries.

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Mamdani Slams AIPAC

Mayor Zohran Mamdani called the American Israel Public Affairs Committee “monsters” for funneling millions of funds to influence 2026 elections.
On June 22, 2026, Mayor Zohran Mamdani addressed a Brooklyn rally, accusing AIPAC of dark-money election influence.
He urged voters to support Brad Lander, Claire Valdez and Darializa Avila Chevalier in primaries.
Senator Bernie Sanders also condemned AIPAC’s role in U.S. foreign policy at the same event.

1 / 4