A statement by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani marking three years since the October 7 Hamas attacks while sharply criticizing Israel has sparked heavy backlash from fellow Democrats, Jewish group leaders, and Israeli officials. Mamdani’s Wednesday statement began by acknowledging the profound pain of the date, referencing Hamas’ war crimes, the killing of roughly 1,200 people, and the abduction of more than 250 hostages. However, the mayor quickly pivoted to denounce Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza, citing a death toll of over 74,000 recorded by the Gaza Health Ministry and arguing that local tax dollars are funding war crimes. Several Democratic lawmakers swiftly condemned the message. Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz accused Mamdani of desecrating the memory of innocent victims, while Representative Josh Gottheimer stated the mayor was blaming the victims. Representative Richie Torres criticized critics of Israel for failing to focus solely on mourning the thousands of Israelis killed and abducted by Hamas. Representative Daniel Goldman labeled the remarks reprehensible, asserting that the mayor used the guise of grieving to advance disputed allegations. Meanwhile, Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt criticized the statement for failing to mention Jewish people and accused the mayor of weaponizing a day of mourning to recycle antizionist talking points. US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee and Israeli Consul General in New York Ofir Akunis also issued harsh condemnations. Conversely, Democratic nominee Brad Lander defended the need to balance empathy for October 7 victims with recognition of power imbalances. Mamdani has consistently defended his positions, maintaining that criticism of Israeli government policy is entirely distinct from antisemitism. Last month, the mayor unveiled a municipal initiative to combat antisemitism, featuring a dedicated support hotline and heightened security funding for synagogues, while reiterating his commitment to fostering a safe environment for Jewish residents in New York City.
Source: cbsnews.com
