NYC Mayor Mamdani Accused of Antisemitism for Post on Oct. 7 Anniversary

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani posted on X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday, the third anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attack, to acknowledge the day's pain for New Yorkers while also accusing Israel of "genocide," "apartheid," and "war crimes." Mamdani stated that while October 7 was a "very painful" day during which Hamas killed over 1,100 Israelis and abducted 251, the "suffering did not begin nor end that day." He further alleged that the Israeli government has committed "devastating, ongoing genocide in Gaza," resulting in the deaths of over 74,000 Palestinians, including more than 21,000 children. Mamdani also criticized the U.S. for its complicity through military aid to Israel, calling for an end to the "occupation and apartheid" and for a world where all people can live in freedom, safety, and dignity. The post drew sharp criticism online, particularly due to its timing on the anniversary of the Hamas massacre. Mamdani is scheduled to attend a memorial vigil for the October 7 victims later on Wednesday, followed by a meeting with "Palestinian New Yorkers."

This is not the first time Mamdani has faced controversy regarding his stance on Israel and antisemitism. Previously, his administration's "flagship program" to combat antisemitism, which allocated tens of millions of dollars to fight hate crimes, was criticized for potentially channeling funds to an anti-Israel organization. The "Strategy to Combat Antisemitism" included a $6.4 million addition to a municipal initiative against hate, with the Arab American Association of New York, an organization identified with anti-Israel activities, being a prominent partner. This group has supported protests against Israel and, following the October 7 massacre, expressed solidarity with the right of "all oppressed peoples to resist their oppressors."