New York City’s Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani told more than 100 chief executives in a closed-door session on Tuesday that he would no longer use, and would actively discourage others from using, the slogan “globalize the intifada.” The meeting, convened by the Partnership for New York City at Rockefeller Center, was moderated by Pfizer Chief Executive Officer Albert Bourla, who pressed Mamdani to clarify his stance after months of criticism from business and Jewish leaders. Mamdani said he understood the phrase is perceived by many New Yorkers as a call for violence against Jews, even though he views it as an anticolonial rallying cry for Palestinian rights. While distancing himself from the wording, he stopped short of repudiating the idea behind it. Several prominent financiers, including JPMorgan Chase’s Jamie Dimon and BlackRock’s Larry Fink, declined to attend the session, underscoring lingering unease about the 33-year-old democratic socialist’s positions. The pledge marks a notable shift from Mamdani’s primary-season refusal to criticize the slogan and is aimed at easing Wall Street’s opposition ahead of the 4 November election. Mamdani faces incumbent Mayor Eric Adams and former Governor Andrew Cuomo, both running as independents, as well as Republican Curtis Sliwa. Business leaders said the exchange lowered the temperature but did not erase concerns about the candidate’s experience and economic agenda.