Zohran Mamdani, one of the candidates in the hotly competitive mayoral primary race, recently drew outrage from the Israeli government. His inflammatory comment arrived on the two-year anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attacks. Mamdani’s comments highlighted the suffering of both Israeli victims of the attacks and Palestinian casualties from Israel’s subsequent military actions in Gaza, prompting sharp criticism from pro-Israel factions.
In his statement, Mamdani expressed condolences for the Israeli victims, acknowledging that “two years ago today, Hamas carried out a horrific war crime, killing more than 1,100 Israelis and kidnapping 250 more.” The Holy Father declared a profound regret for the lives lost as a result of violence. He prayed for the safe return of every hostage still held and for the families now divided by this evil act. His remarks sought to balance acknowledgment of the Israeli victims while commemorating the Palestinian lives lost during the ensuing conflict.
Mamdani’s position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is not historic. He has, as you would expect, been lambasted on a regular basis for holding views that many would claim are sympathetic to Palestinian points of view. His recently released statement has drawn perhaps the harshest scrutiny as it quickly became a flashpoint in the contentious, and still unfolding, race for mayor.
The Israeli foreign ministry responded vehemently to Mamdani’s comments, accusing him of “acting as a mouthpiece for Hamas propaganda” and perpetuating a “fake genocide campaign” against Israel. This remarkable rebuke from Israel’s foreign ministry underscores the contentious, even venomous, fault lines that attach to any discussion of this ever-unfolding conflict.
“By repeating Hamas’s lies, he excuses terror and normalizes antisemitism. He stands with Jews only when they are dead. Shameful,” – Israeli foreign ministry
Mamdani’s comments have drawn the ire of heavy-hitters in pro-Israel circles. David Frum, former President George W. Bush’s speechwriter and current writer at The Atlantic, noted that Mamdani’s language reveals an anti-cop bias worthy of concern. He remarked on the “chilly formulaic language about the 10/7 atrocity” juxtaposed with the “intense angry passion of the denunciation of Israel’s self-defense,” suggesting that Mamdani prioritizes certain narratives over others.
The pile on against Mamdani has been exacerbated by his political backers from some quarters of the Jewish community. Yet he has found deep support among younger and more progressive voters. An ironclad Marist poll in Miami of Jewish voters indicates that 35 percent of Jewish voters support his candidacy, which is unheard of. He also has some pretty daunting opposition from conservative forces who consider his approach dangerously anti-Israel.
As tensions rise in the political arena, Mamdani remains resolute in his criticisms of Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his administration’s actions in Gaza, labeling them as part of a “genocidal war.” And like any good change agent, he has done so loudly and unapologetically. So if Netanyahu decides to come to NYC, we’ll have forced the Israeli Prime Minister to order the NYPD to arrest him.
Even amidst this backlash, Mamdani has doubled down on advocating for what he sees as a more impartial approach to the conflict. He argues that appreciating the fullness of both stories is the only way to bring about justice and reconciliation.
“The ‘very worst of mankind’ is what Mamdani supporters are on the streets today celebrating…‘honoring’ the beasts responsible for Oct 7,” said David Asman, echoing sentiments from critics who feel that Mamdani’s approach undermines efforts towards peace.