Israel Criticizes NYC Mayoral Candidate Zoran Mamdani
Israel’s Foreign Ministry has expressed strong disapproval of Zoran Mamdani, a Democratic candidate for mayor of New York City. This came after Mamdani posted a message marking the second anniversary of the October 7 terrorist attack, in which he criticized both Israel and the United States. He referred to their actions as “occupation and apartheid.”
The ministry stated, “Two years after Hamas initiated its brutal attacks on Israel and the Jewish community, Mamdani has opted to echo Hamas’s propaganda, promoting misinformation about genocide.” They further claimed that repeating what they described as lies from Hamas serves to justify terrorism and perpetuates anti-Semitism.
In a pointed remark, the Israeli officials noted, “He only supports Jews when they are killed. It’s really disappointing.”
Attempts to get a response from Mamdani’s campaign were met with silence.
In a recent statement, Mamdani acknowledged the tragic events of two years ago when Hamas killed over 1,100 Israelis and kidnapped 250 others, saying, “I mourn these lives and pray for the safe return of all hostages.”
Controversy Over War Crimes Accusations
At the same time, Mamdani has laid heavy criticism on Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing them of “starting a genocidal war” and asserting that the death toll has exceeded 67,000, with Israeli bombings flattening homes, hospitals, and schools.
He described the situation in Gaza as a persistent source of grief, stating, “Every day in Gaza is a place where sorrow becomes beyond words. Our government is complicit in this tragedy.” Mamdani called for an end to “occupation and apartheid” and urged the U.S. to hold accountable those responsible for the violence.
Jewish leaders have voiced their concerns about Mamdani, particularly regarding his hesitation to condemn the phrase “globalizing the intifada.” This phrase, as described by the American Jewish Committee, encourages global uprisings against Israel.
Mamdani’s Shifting Position on Language
After months of ambiguity, Mamdani informed business leaders in a July meeting that he would avoid using that slogan in the future. Still, his history raises significant alarm among some community members.
Actor and activist Yuval David stated, “If Zoran Mamdani gets elected, we can expect a substantial Jewish exodus from New York City.”
In a June interview, Mamdani was challenged multiple times about denouncing the term, to which he responded cautiously, “My concern lies in the language I choose. I don’t want to end up resembling those who imprison individuals for expressing their thoughts or protesting.”
Ongoing Criticism and Support for BDS
Critics have also pointed to Mamdani’s backing of various anti-Israel initiatives, including the BDS movement, which advocates for Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions against Israel. Following his recent statements, the anti-Semitism awareness group Canary Mission condemned him for what they termed “playing lip service” to condemning Hamas while accusing Israel of oppression in his statements.
