Israeli Officials and Jewish Groups Condemn Mayor Mamdani's October 7 Statement

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani sparked intense backlash from Israeli officials and Jewish organizations after issuing a statement for the third anniversary of the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks. While Mamdani acknowledged the "horrific war crimes" of Hamas and the "unthinkable loss" of over 1,100 Israelis, he characterized the Israeli government's subsequent military campaign in Gaza as a "devastating, ongoing genocide." He cited a Palestinian death toll exceeding 74,000 and accused the U.S. federal government of complicity through arms shipments.

Israeli UN Ambassador Danny Danon accused Mamdani of attempting to "hijack" the anniversary for propaganda, comparing the mayor's framing to turning September 11 into a day of mourning for al-Qaeda. Other critics, including Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt and Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, accused the mayor of weaponizing a day of mourning to recycle anti-Zionist talking points. Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley labeled the remarks as antisemitism.

The controversy follows a public challenge from Israeli Consul General Ofir Akunis, who invited Mamdani to a screening of a 47-minute IDF film documenting the October 7 atrocities. Akunis asserted that the mayor's rhetoric is the "fundamental reason for the rise of antisemitism in New York City" and suggested the footage would show Mamdani what the people he supports actually did. While most Jewish organizations condemned the mayor, some progressive Jewish groups defended his tone.