NY Jewish Democrats defend Mamdani after Netanyahu calls him a Hamas supporter
New York Jewish Democrats defended Mayor Zohran Mamdani after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused him of antisemitism and ties to Hamas, saying the remarks went too far.
Some prominent New York Jewish Democrats are standing up for Mayor Zohran Mamdani following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's accusations that Mamdani is an antisemite and a friend of Hamas. At Netanyahu's speech at the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday, he called for Mamdani's removal. Mamdani, a vocal critic of Israel, is an avowed anti-Zionist who has pledged to arrest Netanyahu, though he later conceded he lacks the power to do so.
Despite his criticism of Israel, many New York Jewish officials believe Netanyahu's UN comments went too far. Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal, a Jewish Democrat, stated that it is "scurrilous" to suggest Mamdani supports Hamas. City Council Speaker Julie Menin, also a Jewish Democrat, urged a decrease in tensions following the controversial remarks.
Mamdani has condemned Hamas as a terrorist organization and denounced antisemitic hate crimes in New York. The mayor responded to Netanyahu's speech by calling it the repetition of "baseless lies" meant to justify Israel's actions in Gaza. Netanyahu's speech at the UN General Assembly was motivated by his reelection campaign, where Mamdani has been portrayed as a villain by Netanyahu's Likud Party.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
