Mamdani's Oct. 7 commemoration outrages supporters and critics of Israel

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani faced backlash on the third anniversary of the Oct. 7 attacks, as he condemned Hamas’ "horrific war crimes" and denounced Israel’s "genocide" in Gaza. Some Jewish critics deemed his stance anti-Semitic, while pro-Palestinian protesters disrupted a vigil for Hamas victims. Mamdani, a Muslim and the city's first Muslim mayor, has consistently defended Palestinian human rights.

He acknowledged the ongoing suffering in Gaza but accused Israel of continuing the genocide. Critics, including U.S. Rep. Dan Goldman and the consul general of Israel, accused Mamdani of a "reprehensible" and "disgraceful" statement. Despite calls for moderation, Mamdani defended his language, emphasizing the need to mourn ongoing Palestinian deaths.

The mayor's stance has strained relations in a city with a large Jewish population and prompted reactions from Jewish politicians and activists.