Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi expressed criticism towards New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Michigan Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed for their positions on Israel. Pelosi stated that their views are “wrong” and do not reflect the congressional Democrats.
During the “On Brand” podcast hosted by Donny Deutsch, Pelosi was questioned about reconciling support for the Democratic Party with politicians whose statements Deutsch considered antisemitic. Deutsch expressed his concern regarding comments that questioned Israel’s right to be a Jewish state.
“When you say Israel doesn’t have the right to be a Jewish state, that’s antisemitic as far as I’m concerned,” Deutsch said.
Pelosi responded to Deutsch’s mention of Mamdani and El-Sayed, describing their comments as “concerning” and “wrong.” She emphasized that this does not represent the majority of Democrats in Congress.
Mamdani, before becoming New York City’s mayor, hesitated on affirming Israel as a Jewish state. In a June 28 interview, he supported Israel as a state with equal rights but refrained from endorsing it as a Jewish state.
“I think any state that privileges one religion over the other is one that I can’t tell you I support,” Mamdani said.
Similarly, El-Sayed has avoided giving a clear affirmation regarding Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state, stating he struggled to reconcile it with liberal values in the U.S.
Pelosi initially denied antisemitism as a significant issue within the Democratic Party but acknowledged that some individuals might say things that can be interpreted as such. Despite her disapproval, Pelosi dismissed their effect on the party’s consensus.
“People represent their districts, and we have to respect that,” Pelosi said, adding that House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has clearly articulated this stance.
Fox News Digital reached out to representatives for Pelosi, Mamdani, and El-Sayed but did not receive immediate responses.
Rabbi Yaakov Menken, executive vice president of the Coalition for Jewish Values, praised Pelosi’s support for the Jewish community but expressed concern over her perceived lack of recognition of antisemitism among colleagues.
“Pelosi claims she wants for those voices to be marginalized within her party, yet she demonstrates a lack of awareness,” Menken stated.
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