Former New York Mayor Eric Adams is publicly criticizing his successor, Mayor Zoran Mamdani, by announcing his attendance at this Sunday’s Israel Day Parade, which Mamdani has chosen to skip. This move signifies a notable departure from the typical practice where former mayors refrain from engaging in public disputes with their successors.
Mamdani’s absence is particularly significant as he becomes the first sitting mayor in 62 years to miss the parade, a tradition that dates back to 1964.
“As Mayor, I have proudly joined this parade every year of my tenure, and this year is no different. I’ll be marching alongside tens of thousands of New Yorkers,” Adams expressed in a post on X.
“With anti-Semitism on the rise nationally and Jewish New Yorkers facing unprecedented levels of hate and intimidation, remaining silent is not an option,” he added.
Adams, who served as mayor from 2022 to 2025, has been vocal in his critique of Mamdani’s progressive governance, particularly regarding city budget decisions and the handling of people affected by a recent severe winter storm. His criticisms have also targeted Mamdani’s vocal stance on Israel.
In defense of his decision to boycott the parade, Mamdani, who took office in January, clarified that his views on geopolitics and his commitment to supporting Jewish New Yorkers are distinct from one another.
“My absence from the Israel Day parade should not be interpreted as a lack of support or security for the event. I have consistently advocated for equal rights for all individuals, and that principle remains central to my actions,” Mamdani remarked in a statement.
Despite this, Adams believes that participating in the parade this year is especially crucial.
