New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani faced criticism from various political groups after he released a statement marking the second anniversary of the October 7 terror attack on Israel. The attack, which occurred two years ago, is remembered as one of the deadliest days for Jews since the Holocaust.
In his post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Mamdani described the attack as a “horrific war crime.” However, he spent much of his message condemning Israel, accusing the country of committing “genocide” in Gaza. He referenced casualty figures provided by the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry, which claims that over 67,000 people have died as a result of Israeli military actions.
Mamdani expressed deep sorrow for the lives lost and criticized the U.S. government for its complicity in the ongoing conflict. He called for an end to what he described as occupation and apartheid, advocating for peace through diplomacy rather than military actions.
His remarks were met with backlash from both conservatives and liberals. Dan McLaughlin, a senior writer for National Review, accused Mamdani of blaming victims. MSNBC columnist Michael Cohen criticized the lack of balance in Mamdani’s statement, suggesting it focused too heavily on attacking Israel without adequately addressing the violence against Jews.
David Frum, a writer for The Atlantic, noted the stark contrast in Mamdani’s tone regarding the October 7 attack and his condemnation of Israel, highlighting a perceived imbalance in his priorities.
Republican Congressman Mike Lawler of New York called Mamdani’s statement disqualifying for his mayoral campaign, suggesting that anyone who supports him should also be removed from political office. Lawler stated that this kind of rhetoric should not be tolerated in American politics.
Despite the criticism, Mamdani has garnered endorsements from prominent Democrats, including Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, as well as Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and New York Governor Kathy Hochul.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry also responded to Mamdani’s statement, accusing him of spreading Hamas propaganda and normalizing antisemitism. They condemned his remarks as shameful, arguing that he only expresses solidarity with Jewish people when they are victims of violence.
The controversy surrounding Mamdani’s comments highlights the deep divisions in public opinion regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the challenges faced by political figures discussing such sensitive topics.
