New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani has drawn anger from Jewish leaders after using his statement marking three years since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks to denounce Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
Mamdani described the anniversary as “profoundly painful” and condemned what he called the “horrific war crimes” of October 7. He said Hamas killed more than 1,100 Israelis and abducted 251 people during the attacks, adding that he grieved with New Yorkers still affected by the losses.
The mayor then devoted much of his statement to Israel’s actions in Gaza, describing the campaign as an “ongoing genocide.” He said more than 74,000 Palestinians, including more than 21,000 children, had been killed and accused Israel of war crimes, while also criticising US military support for Israel.
Mamdani said the suffering “did not begin nor end” on October 7, citing Israeli strikes and restrictions on humanitarian aid. He also said the US government was complicit through continued arms shipments to Israel.
The statement immediately drew criticism from Jewish organisations, which accused the mayor of shifting attention away from the Israeli victims of the Hamas attack on a day of remembrance.
The UJA-Federation of New York said October 7 should have been a day for New York to stand with the victims, their families and those affected by the attack. It accused Mamdani of redirecting attention toward criticism of Israel and said his remarks risked placing Jewish New Yorkers at greater risk.
The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations also condemned the statement, saying the anniversary should have focused on remembering those killed, supporting hostage families and confronting terrorism and antisemitism. The group criticised Mamdani for describing Israel’s actions as genocide on the anniversary.
Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt also criticised the mayor, saying Mamdani had failed to mention Jews in his statement and accused him of using the anniversary to repeat his criticism of Israel.
The backlash was not limited to Jewish organisations. Some Democrats also criticised Mamdani’s statement, while pro-Palestinian activists at an event attended by the mayor accused him of moving too close to pro-Israel positions.
The controversy comes as Mamdani marks his first October 7 anniversary as New York mayor. His handling of the Israel-Gaza conflict has remained a contentious issue since he took office, reflecting the wider divisions within New York over how the attacks, the hostages and the war in Gaza should be remembered.
The controversy highlights the continued political and communal divisions surrounding the Israel-Gaza war in New York, where Mamdani faces pressure from Jewish leaders over his approach while also seeking to maintain his support for Palestinian rights. His handling of the conflict is likely to remain a closely watched issue as his administration engages communities affected by the war.