Zohran Mamdani faces backlash for calling Israel’s Gaza war ‘ongoing genocide’ on Oct 7 anniversary
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Wednesday marked the third anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel by condemning the killings and hostage-taking, while also accusing the Israeli government of carrying out an “ongoing genocide” in Gaza.Mamdani’s statement, issued as Israel and Jewish communities marked three years since the Hamas attack, acknowledged that Hamas killed more than 1,100 Israelis and abducted 251 people. He described the loss as “unthinkable” but said the suffering in the region “did not begin nor end” on October 7.The New York mayor also highlighted the Palestinian death toll in Gaza, saying more than 74,000 Palestinians, including more than 21,000 children, have been killed. He accused Israel of bombing ambulances, residential buildings and journalists and of restricting food aid from entering Gaza.Mamdani described the Israeli government’s military campaign as an “ongoing genocide” and also referred to alleged “war crimes”, “occupation” and “apartheid” in his statement.
Nikki Haley attacks Mamdani over Oct 7 statement
Former US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley sharply criticised Mamdani over his remarks. “Shame on you for trying to blow a kiss and slap Israelis in the face at the same time,” Haley said in a post on X.Haley accused Hamas of having “raped, burned, and murdered Israelis and Americans” on October 7 and said hostages were kidnapped and tortured for months.“This is antisemitism, no matter how you try to put a bow on it,” Haley said, adding that Israelis had the right to defend themselves.
Israeli officials, Jewish groups criticise Mamdani
Mamdani’s comments also drew criticism from Israeli officials and Jewish organisations, who accused him of turning an anniversary meant to remember the victims of the October 7 attack into criticism of Israel.Israeli UN Ambassador Danny Danon told the New York Post that Mamdani was attempting to “hijack” a day dedicated to victims and survivors.Danon compared the move to using the anniversary of the September 11 attacks in the US to focus on criticism of America rather than the victims and the al-Qaeda attackers.The controversy comes days after Jewish organisations criticised aspects of Mamdani’s strategy to combat antisemitism in New York. The UJA-Federation of New York, JCRC-NY, AJC New York and the New York Board of Rabbis said the policy had positive elements but warned that rhetoric that “demonizes and delegitimizes Israel” could contribute to the targeting of Jewish New Yorkers.Mamdani, who has long criticised the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza, was scheduled to attend an October 7 remembrance vigil before meeting Palestinian New Yorkers, according to reports.
