Mamdani draws heat over Oct. 7 statement
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has drawn backlash from several pro-Israel political pundits and officials in response to his statement on the third anniversary of the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, in which he criticized what he called Israel’s “genocide” in Gaza.
TL;DR
- New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani faced criticism for his statement on the third anniversary of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack.
- Mamdani called Israel's actions in Gaza a 'genocide' while acknowledging the grief from the Oct. 7 attacks.
- U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt, and other officials condemned Mamdani's remarks.
- Critics accused Mamdani of antisemitism, weaponizing the anniversary, and repeating Hamas talking points.
- Mamdani concluded his statement by calling for a world free from occupation and apartheid, linking it to honoring the dead.
- Mamdani's schedule included attending a vigil for Oct. 7 victims and meeting with Palestinian New Yorkers on the same day.