Activist Critiques Mayoral Candidate Over Hamas Stance
On Wednesday, Iranian-American activist Masih Alinejad confronted leading mayoral candidate Zoran Mamdani, criticizing him for not taking a firm enough position against Hamas. “We must protect New York from terrorists,” she declared.
In her speech outside a Manhattan courthouse, Alinejad called for Mamdani to engage with those affected by Iranian-backed terrorist groups. This statement came after two gangsters linked to a plot to assassinate her were sentenced to at least 25 years in prison.
Alinejad pointed out that Mamdani had previously expressed reluctance to comment on Hamas. With general elections approaching next Tuesday and early voting underway, she found this troubling.
“I invite him to meet with women in the Middle East, especially Palestinians targeted by Hamas,” she continued. “If we’re serious about protecting New Yorkers, then we need to be tough on Hamas and its sponsor, the Islamic Republic.”
The Democratic candidate, who identifies as a socialist, has faced criticism for not explicitly stating that Hamas should disarm.
Though Mamdani has spoken frequently about the Gaza situation, he recently claimed on Fox News that he holds “no particular opinion on the future of Hamas and Israel,” focusing instead on justice, security, and adherence to international law.
Alinejad, who is critical of Iran’s treatment of women, deemed this response unacceptable, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding New York from terrorism.
“We all love New York and we must protect it,” she insisted. “This is why I’m urging Mamdani and other mayoral candidates to take a stand against all terrorist organizations and their backer, the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
Before making her remarks outside the courthouse, she tweeted a similar challenge to Mamdani and others running for mayor.
Rafat Amirov, 46, and Polad Omarov, 41, were convicted in March after they received $500,000 from Iran to orchestrate a failed assassination attempt on Alinejad in her Brooklyn home in 2022.
On Wednesday, they were sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.
While Mamdani has criticized Hamas for war crimes in the October 7, 2023 attack, he has maintained a cautious stance regarding the group’s future in Gaza. As of now, his campaign has not responded to Alinejad’s comments.
