New York City Mayor’s Statement on Anniversary of Attacks Draws Criticism

On the third anniversary of the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 individuals and the taking of 251 hostages, New York City’s Mayor Zohran Mamdani, affiliated with the Democratic Socialists, issued a statement that faced significant backlash.

While Mamdani expressed sorrow for those who lost their lives in the tragic events, the focus of his message leaned heavily towards Israel, accusing the country of committing acts of genocide and apartheid.

The mayor shared his remarks on X, noting that the suffering “did not begin nor end” with the events of October 7, referring instead to what he described as “ongoing genocide” by Israeli military actions in Gaza.

“This day is profoundly painful for so many New Yorkers. It marks three years since the horrific war crimes of October 7. On that day, Hamas killed more than 1,100 Israelis and abducted 251 others. We grieve alongside our many friends and neighbors who still carry that unthinkable loss,” Mamdani stated. “The suffering did not begin nor end that day. It instead continued through the Israeli government’s devastating, ongoing genocide in Gaza, in which it has killed more than 74,000 Palestinians—including more than 21,000 children. Even since the so-called ceasefire, more than 1,400 Palestinians have been killed.”

Mamdani continued on to mention how many New Yorkers are grappling with immense grief, stating that their tax contributions fund these violent actions. He urged for a world where occupation and apartheid are rejected, emphasizing the need to combat impunity in light of conflict-related crimes.

“To honor the dead, we must fight for a world in which every person can live with freedom, safety, and dignity,” he concluded.

This statement prompted harsh criticism from various quarters. U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee lambasted Mamdani’s comments as an “outrageous and disgusting rant,” suggesting that it was inappropriate to make such remarks on a day meant to honor the over 1,200 civilians who were killed, including 46 Americans.

“The statement by NY Mayor ‘Mamdani’ is an outrageous and disgusting rant and made on a day that ought to honor the over 1200 civilians butchered by Hamas including 46 Americans,” Huckabee wrote. “His comments are as insensitive and insulting as saying on the 9-11 Anniversary that ‘While we mourn the loss of those murdered by terrorists we condemn the response of the United States equally.’”

Israeli Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, also criticized Mamdani for supposedly trying to manipulate the October 7 anniversary for propaganda purposes, comparing it to turning September 11 into a day of mourning for terrorists.

“Mamdani-ism is an attempt to hijack the anniversary of October 7 and turn it into yet another propaganda attack against Israel,” Danon stated. “We will not let this happen. We will remember those who were murdered, and we will never forget who was behind this massacre.”