Democratic Mayoral Candidate Responds to Trump’s Comments on Hamas
Zoran Mamdani, the Democratic candidate for mayor of New York, spoke out on Wednesday against President Trump’s assertion that Hamas should disarm and relinquish power in the wake of Israel’s peace agreement with the group.
The peace agreement outlines a requirement for Hamas to permanently disarm and give control of Gaza. During an appearance on “The Story with Martha McCallum,” Mamdani was asked multiple times whether Hamas should adhere to these conditions, but he avoided providing a direct answer.
“Do you think Hamas should lay down its arms and leave its leadership in Gaza?” McCallum inquired.
“I think that any future here in New York City needs to be accessible and affordable for everyone,” Mamdani replied. “We really have to strive for peace regarding Israel and Palestine. That’s what we need to pursue.”
McCallum pressed for clarity.
“But you’re not saying that Hamas should disarm or relinquish its leadership in Gaza?” she asked.
“I don’t have an opinion on the future of Hamas or Israel outside of ensuring justice and security, and that everything must adhere to international law,” he stated. “This applies to Hamas, to the Israeli military, to everyone who might ask for my perspective.”
Earlier on Tuesday, Trump had issued a warning regarding the consequences of Hamas not disarming.
“They said they were going to disarm us, so we’re going to disarm them,” Trump told reporters. “If they don’t disarm, we will disarm them.” He further emphasized, “They know I’m not playing games.”
Mamdani has faced criticism in the past for his reluctance to denounce the phrase “globalizing the intifada,” perceived by many as a call for violence against Jews. On the second anniversary of Hamas’s attack on Israel, he accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of initiating a “genocidal war,” briefly condemning the group’s “horrific war crimes.”
Currently, Mamdani is leading the mayoral race with 46% support among voters, while Democratic former Governor Andrew Cuomo follows at 33% and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa trails with 15%, as reported by a Quinnipiac University survey.
