Zohran Mamdani, a socialist aspiring for the NYC mayoral seat, has come under fire for his refusal to endorse a resolution condemning the Holocaust. On Saturday, he offered peculiar explanations for his choice, particularly when faced with questions about not signing a separate resolution celebrating Israel’s 77th anniversary.
The pro-Palestinian legislator from Queens stated that he hadn’t signed the Holocaust resolution this year because he hadn’t co-hosted a similar resolution during the legislative meeting. “Earlier this year, I informed staff that we wouldn’t co-host a resolution that crossed our desk because it wasn’t related to the topic at hand. I still support it,” he commented.
“I’ve consistently voted for Holocaust resolutions every year I’ve been in office,” he insisted. “I will certainly sign the upcoming resolution,” which aims to declare January 27, 2025, as the Day of Holocaust Memory in New York.
However, he didn’t clarify why he didn’t co-host this year’s resolution.
Mamdani also sidestepped questions about his signing of a different resolution earlier in the week, this one commemorating Israel’s anniversary, which appears aimed at garnering support from former anti-Israel council member Jamal Bowman.
“Thank you very much,” Mamdani replied before leaving, without delving into the details surrounding the Israeli resolution.
Polls indicate Mamdani is currently in second place among Democratic mayoral candidates, trailing only ex-governor Andrew Cuomo. Yet his decision has sparked considerable backlash amidst New York City’s significant Jewish population.
Four fellow socialists—assembly members Emily Gallagher, Claire Valdes, Marcela Mitine, and Sarahana Schresta—also chose not to endorse the pro-Israel resolution. This resolution was intended to reaffirm the ties between New Yorkers and Israelis, celebrating the state’s 77th anniversary.
The year 2025 is also marked as the “77th anniversary of the modern state of Israel,” reflecting its historical significance.
Mamdani’s campaign spokesperson, Andrew Epstein, mentioned to Politico that their stance against the resolution stems from a belief that Israel has not adequately pursued peace in recent times. “I think recent actions by right-wing governments have contradicted that narrative,” Epstein added.
David Greenfield, a former city council member, criticized Mamdani’s lack of support for the Holocaust resolution, stating that such a refusal disqualified him from being mayor. “Not supporting a pro-Israel resolution doesn’t equate to being anti-Semitic,” he remarked on social media.
