New Mayor's Post on October 7th Sparks Outrage
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
Mamdani cited figures of over 74,000 Palestinian deaths, including thousands of children, and alleged Israeli complicity in war crimes. He concluded by calling for an end to occupation and apartheid and for the U.S. to cease arms shipments to Israel. Mamdani is known for his pro-Palestinian views, despite recent efforts to engage with the Jewish community.
The story in 4 lines · by baba
- Mamdani stated that over 74,000 Palestinians, including 21,000 children, have been killed in Gaza.
- He also claimed that over 1,100 Israelis were killed and 251 abducted on October 7th.
- The mayor called for an end to the occupation and apartheid, and for the U.S. to stop sending arms to Israel.
- Mamdani's post followed efforts to improve relations with the Jewish community and combat antisemitism.
While Mamdani began by expressing condolences for the victims of Hamas, he quickly shifted to a sharp indictment of Israel and its actions in Gaza.
Mamdani's post stated, "This day is particularly painful for so many New Yorkers, it marks three years since the horrific war crimes of October 7th. On that day, Hamas killed over 1,100 Israelis and abducted 251 more people. We mourn with our many friends and neighbors who still carry this unfathomable loss."
However, the mayor then abandoned discussion of the October 7th victims to launch a fierce attack on Israel, claiming, "The suffering did not begin or end on that day. It continues with the devastating and ongoing genocide being carried out by the Israeli government in Gaza, a genocide in which over 74,000 Palestinians have been killed, including more than 21,000 children." He further alleged that "even since the so-called 'ceasefire,' over 1,400 Palestinians have been killed."
Mamdani continued to accuse the IDF of exacerbating suffering, citing Israeli bombs on ambulances outside hospitals, drone strikes on residential buildings or journalists, and the obstruction of aid convoys at border crossings. He further angered many by stating that his city's residents mourn "knowing that our tax dollars are financing these war crimes."
The mayor concluded his post with an explicit call against Israel and U.S. aid, stating, "Three years later, we must refuse to accept a world where occupation and apartheid continue, where war crimes are met with impunity, and where our federal government continues to be complicit through every arms shipment." He added, "To honor the dead, we must fight for a world where every person can live in freedom, security, and dignity."
In recent months, he has attempted to improve relations with the city's Jewish community, including hosting a Sukkah event. In late September, he released a 35-page report to combat antisemitism in the city with a $29 million budget, but the report drew political controversy for omitting any reference to Israel or antisemitism stemming from the Middle East conflict.
