(Chris Wade, The Center Square) New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is facing renewed criticism after releasing a statement on the third anniversary of Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack that condemns the “horrific war crimes” while also accusing the Israeli government of committing “genocide” in response.
Mamdani released a short statement Wednesday marking the Oct. 7, 2023 attack by Hamas that killed nearly 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages being taken, saying the “suffering did not begin nor end” on Oct. 7 and that “it has continued through Israeli government’s devastating, ongoing genocide in Gaza.”
“Three years later, we must refuse to accept a world in which occupation and apartheid continue, where war crimes are met with impunity, and our federal government continues its complicity with every arms shipment,” he said. “To honor the dead, we must fight for a world in which every person can live with freedom, safety, and dignity.”
Mamdani’s statement included figures saying more than 74,000 Palestinians, including children, have been killed in Gaza since Israel launched its offensive. He also accused the Israeli military of bombing ambulances, striking residential buildings and journalists, and blocking food aid at border crossings.
His remarks drew swift condemnation from Jewish groups, who accused the young Muslim mayor of politicizing the solemn commemorations and playing to far-left activists.
The New York-based Anti Defamation League blasted Mamdani’s statement and accused him of “weaponizing a day meant for mourning” and for failing to acknowledge that “Hamas-led attackers murdered civilians, committed sexual violence, mutilated bodies, and took hostages.”
“You are weaponizing a day meant for mourning the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust to recycle your usual anti-zionist talking points,” the ADL said in a statement. “The city with the largest Jewish population outside Israel deserves a mayor who can honor the dead without exploiting them.”
Israeli U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon accused Mamdani of trying to “hijack” a day meant for victims and survivors to criticize Israel and spread propaganda about Palestinians.
“It is like turning September 11 into a day of mourning for al-Qaeda terrorists,” he posted on X. “We will not let this happen. We will remember those who were murdered, and we will never forget who was behind this massacre.’
The statement is likely to increase already strained relations between Mamdani and New York City’s Jewish leaders over his support for the Palestinian state and criticism of Israel, which has drawn claims that he is antisemitic. That mayor has denied any bias towards Jewish people. Mamdani has also pushed for the arrest of Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu for war crimes over his military actions in Gaza.
Mamdani is expected to attend an official city “Vigil in Remembrance of October 7th” on Wednesday night, followed immediately by a meeting with Palestinian New Yorkers, which is closed to the media.
