New York Mayor Under Fire From Pro-Palestinian Activists

Less than a year into his term as New York City Mayor, Zohran Mamdani is facing criticism from some of the same pro-Palestinian activists who helped him gain political power. Despite being known as one of the most pro-Palestinian mayors in the city's history, Mamdani is now accused by some activists and organizations of reneging on his promises and moving closer to pro-Israel groups. Mamdani won office after a campaign where he frequently addressed the Palestinian issue, criticized Israel, and called the war in Gaza "genocide." After taking office, he rescinded two executive orders from his predecessor, Eric Adams: adopting the IHRA definition of antisemitism and prohibiting city employees from participating in BDS activities. He also requested the release of Palestinian activist the Palestinian activist during his first meeting with President Donald Trump and reiterated his demand that city tax funds not be invested in Israel.

A key point of contention is Mamdani's campaign promise to pursue an International Criminal Court arrest warrant against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he visited New York, calling him a "war criminal." Mamdani stated in a July interview with The New York Times that Netanyahu "belongs in The Hague" and his legal team was examining the possibility of such an arrest. However, three days later, he released a video stating he lacked the legal authority to execute an arrest warrant. When Netanyahu visited New York in September for the UN General Assembly, he was not arrested and was even escorted by the NYPD. Meanwhile, several activists and politicians, including figures who had previously supported Mamdani, were arrested during protests against Netanyahu outside the UN. Mamdani himself did not attend these protests, instead releasing a silent video of himself planting an olive tree at the mayor's residence with families from Gaza.

Tensions escalated earlier this month when Mamdani attended a rally for victims of the Nova music festival and other October 7th casualties, organized by a group calling itself "anti-occupation." Pro-Palestinian activists from CUNY's Students for Justice in Palestine marched toward the event, reportedly confronting attendees and shouting "traitor" at Mamdani, claiming he had "blood on his hands." Hadia Malik, a former intern for Mamdani, led the protest, stating his attendance "normalizes Zionism" and "settler colonialism." Malik also demanded Mamdani disband the CUNY University's Board of Trustees, which she claims invests in arms manufacturers.

Another point of criticism is Mamdani's decision to retain NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, who identifies as a "proud Zionist." Tisch was appointed under Mamdani's predecessor, Eric Adams, and Mamdani chose not to replace her. Jewish Voice for Peace recently called for her dismissal, citing her Zionist views, surveillance industry ties, and NYPD-IDF connections as reasons for her tenure to end with the new administration. Even the Democratic Socialists of America, an organization that supported Mamdani's campaign, called for her firing last week. Mamdani defended Tisch, stating that during their ten months working together, the city saw its lowest recorded murder rate.

Activists are also demanding Mamdani fulfill another campaign promise: to dismantle the NYPD's Strategic Response Group, a unit responsible for handling protests and public order. Calls for its dissolution intensified after an ICE officer shot an individual in the Bronx, and the unit was subsequently deployed against protesters opposing ICE activities. Jewish Voice for Peace issued a message calling to "Abolish ICE. Free Palestine. Disband the SRG. Fire Tisch." Mamdani has not yet disbanded the unit.

Criticism also extends to Mamdani's recently launched program to combat antisemitism. Pro-Palestinian activists claim it directs funding to groups they define as "Zionist," including the Jewish Community Council of New York. This situation places Mamdani, who built a significant part of his political image on identifying with Palestinians and strongly criticizing Israel during his campaign, in a position where he now faces criticism from activists who claim he has compromised since entering the mayor's office.