Mamdani says he was ‘proud to attend’ October 7 vigil where protesters called him a ‘traitor’

Mayor Zohran Mamdani expressed pride in attending an October 7 vigil in New York City, where protesters from Israelis for Peace called him a "traitor" to the cause. During a press conference, Mamdani stated that he was "proud to attend last night's vigil, as I did last year," to hear testimonies from family members of those killed on October 7 and those killed in the three years since.

He emphasized the unity in the vision for peace and an end to the genocide in Gaza. However, Mamdani declined to answer questions about whether he would have altered his statement made the day after the October 7 anniversary. Jewish groups criticized the mayor for focusing on Israel's military campaign in Gaza rather than the 2023 Hamas attack.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul condemned the protest, denouncing the disruption of a vigil for the victims while waving terrorist flags. She emphasized that Jewish New Yorkers deserved to mourn in peace.