DNC Chair: ‘Globalize the Intifada’ Fits in Party’s Big Tent
In a stunning admission that has sparked outrage among conservatives and pro-Israel advocates, Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chair Jaime Harrison defended New York State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani’s refusal to condemn the controversial slogan “Globalize the Intifada.”
Harrison, speaking in a PBS interview, stated that the Democratic Party is a “big tent,” implying that even radical expressions such as promoting intifada — which historically refers to violent Palestinian uprisings against Israel — have a place in the Democratic coalition.
Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist aligned with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s progressive bloc, came under fire after participating in rallies where protesters chanted slogans that many consider calls to violence against Israel. Rather than distancing the party from such incendiary rhetoric, Harrison doubled down, telling PBS anchor Amna Nawaz that the Democratic Party welcomes a diversity of views, even when they provoke moral outrage.
“Democrats are a big tent party,” Harrison said. “We have folks who are progressive, folks who are moderate, and even some who are conservative.” He continued, “We’re not going to win elections by telling people to go away because we don’t like how they express themselves.”
The comment was met with swift backlash from conservative leaders and Jewish advocacy groups who view the slogan “Globalize the Intifada” not as a call for peace, but as a thinly veiled endorsement of terrorism. Historically, the first and second intifadas were marked by suicide bombings, stabbings, and the deaths of hundreds of Israeli civilians. The notion of “globalizing” such a movement extends the threat far beyond the Middle East.
Co-host Amna Nawaz asked, “What about concerns from some of your Jewish colleagues in particular about him not outright condemning the phrase globalize the intifada in a recent interview? Some of your Jewish colleagues have said that that could be very disturbing, potentially dangerous. Do you agree with that?”
Martin responded, “There’s no candidate in this party that I agree 100% of the time with, to be honest with you. There [are] things that I don’t agree with Mamdani that he said. But, at the end of the day, I always believe, as a Democratic Party chair in Minnesota for the last 14 years, and now the Chair of the DNC, that you win through addition. You win by bringing people into your coalition. We have conservative Democrats. We have centrist Democrats. We have labor progressives like me, and we have this new brand of Democrat, which is the leftist. And we win by bringing people into that coalition. And, at the end of the day, for me, that’s the type of party we’re going to lead. We are a big tent party. Yes, it leads to dissent and debate, and there [are] differences of opinions on a whole host of issues. But we should celebrate that as a party and recognize, at the end of the day, we’re better because of it.”
From a conservative Christian perspective, the normalization of this rhetoric within a major U.S. political party is deeply troubling. The Bible calls believers to be peacemakers (Matthew 5:9), and any ideology that promotes or tolerates violent uprisings runs counter to the Gospel’s call to love one’s neighbor and uphold justice. Moreover, the scriptural mandate to bless Israel (Genesis 12:3) stands in stark contrast to the embrace of those who chant for its destruction.
Rather than standing with America’s longtime ally in the Middle East, the Democratic Party continues to flirt with the fringes of anti-Zionist activism that, in many cases, borders on open antisemitism. This erosion of support for Israel has accelerated in recent years, with progressive voices like Mamdani, Ilhan Omar, and Rashida Tlaib taking center stage in the party’s ideological direction. Their presence has not been met with rebuke, but with institutional accommodation.
Republican lawmakers were quick to pounce on Harrison’s remarks. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) called the DNC’s position “morally bankrupt,” saying, “There’s no room in American politics for those who romanticize terrorism. If Democrats won’t draw a line at ‘Globalize the Intifada,’ then they’ve lost their moral compass.”
Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman also weighed in, tweeting, “Globalizing the intifada means globalizing terror. There’s nothing peaceful about buses blowing up or civilians being stabbed on the street. Shameful to see the DNC refuse to denounce this.”
Yet, despite this growing outrage, establishment media outlets continue to frame Mamdani as a bold voice challenging the status quo. PBS’s coverage avoided defining the intifada with historical context, instead presenting the controversy as a matter of inter-party disagreement. This lack of journalistic rigor contributes to a dangerously uninformed public discourse.
It is not simply a matter of rhetoric. Allowing such language to fester in political arenas leads to policy decisions that can have international consequences. Calls to cut military aid to Israel and erase its right to self-defense are no longer relegated to the far-left fringe but are now entertained in the mainstream Democratic conversation. The shift reflects a broader cultural rebellion against Western values, biblical truth, and national sovereignty.
Christian voters should take note. As the Democratic Party continues to tolerate — even embrace — voices that cheer for revolution and upheaval, the contrast between worldviews becomes increasingly clear. One side stands for order, peace, and moral clarity. The other, as evidenced by the DNC’s refusal to reject Mamdani’s dangerous rhetoric, allows chaos, violence, and hatred to find a home under its banner.
As 2024 shapes up to be a defining moment in American politics, these distinctions matter. Believers are called to discern the times (Matthew 16:3) and to stand for truth, even when it is unpopular. The defense of a slogan like “Globalize the Intifada” should alarm not just Jews and Israelis, but all people of faith and conscience who value life, peace, and the dignity of every human being.
Harrison’s comments serve as a sobering reminder of how far the Democratic Party has drifted from its once-mainstream values. The party that once prided itself on defending the vulnerable now offers cover to those who promote a violent ideology. The mask has come off — and the American people are taking notice.
Keywords:
DNC, Jaime Harrison, Zohran Mamdani, Globalize the Intifada, Democrat big tent, Israel, antisemitism, Christian worldview, terrorism, progressive extremism, conservative response, Jewish advocacy