Former UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has publicly endorsed New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, despite facing his own controversies over antisemitism allegations.
Jeremy Corbyn, the former leader of the UK Labour Party, has shown his support for New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, who is running as a progressive challenger in the upcoming election. Corbyn’s endorsement comes just days before the polls open, highlighting his ongoing influence in leftist politics.
Mamdani, who aligns with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and shares Corbyn’s critical stance on Israel’s military actions in Gaza, has also faced accusations of antisemitism. Corbyn, now serving as an independent Member of Parliament, announced his backing for Mamdani on social media, posting a photo of himself wearing a “North London 4 Zohran” shirt.
In his Facebook post, Corbyn encouraged his followers to support Mamdani, stating, “Let’s get Zohran over the finish line for a New York that’s affordable for all!” The post drew mixed reactions, with some social media users expressing surprise at Corbyn’s involvement in New York politics and questioning his influence.
Corbyn further promoted Mamdani’s campaign by sharing a link for phone banking organized by the DSA’s NYC chapter. The campaign’s website urged volunteers to mobilize voters, emphasizing the urgency of the election. “Join NYC-DSA and Jeremy Corbyn, former leader of the UK’s Labour Party, as we call New Yorkers to get out the vote for Zohran Mamdani for mayor. We’re just two days from election day, and every conversation pushes us closer to winning a better New York,” the site stated.
Corbyn’s history with antisemitism allegations is well-documented. In 2020, the UK’s Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) found that the Labour Party, under his leadership, had committed unlawful acts of discrimination against Jewish members. As a result, Corbyn was suspended and formally expelled from the Labour Party in 2024 due to his response to the report. He has since founded a new left-wing political party called “Your Party” and continues to deny all allegations of antisemitism.
The collaboration between Corbyn and Mamdani has drawn criticism from various quarters. Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who is also a mayoral candidate, condemned Mamdani’s decision to align with Corbyn. On social media platform X, Cuomo stated, “Having Jeremy Corbyn — someone whose party was found to have committed unlawful acts of discrimination against Jewish people under his leadership – phone-banking for @ZohranKMamdani says everything you need to know. NY doesn’t need politics of moral compromise. We need leadership that rejects antisemitism, extremism, and division in every form and in every corner.”
In addition to the controversies surrounding Corbyn, Mamdani’s campaign has faced scrutiny regarding campaign finance. A week before the election, the Coolidge Reagan Foundation, a campaign finance watchdog group, filed two criminal referrals against Mamdani, alleging that he received illegal contributions from foreign donors. However, the Mamdani campaign asserts that any issues related to financial contributions have been resolved.
As the election approaches, the dynamics of the race continue to evolve, with Mamdani’s progressive platform and Corbyn’s endorsement drawing both support and criticism from various factions within the political landscape.
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