Zohran Mamdani Critiques Israeli Response to Hamas Attack

Democratic mayoral candidate in New York City, Zohran Mamdani, characterized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s actions as part of a “genocidal war.” His remarks came on the anniversary of the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, a significant date marking the violent event against Israel.

Mamdani, who identifies as a socialist, initially condemned the “horrible war crimes” of Hamas in a statement shared on X. He later criticized the Israeli government, suggesting that the U.S. is “complicit” in its actions.

Reflecting on the events of two years ago, Mamdani stated, “On this day, Hamas committed a horrific war crime, resulting in the deaths of over 1,100 Israelis and the kidnapping of 250 others. I mourn these lives and offer my prayers for the hostages and families affected by this violence.”

He further expressed, “After that, Prime Minister Netanyahu and his government initiated what I call a genocidal war. The current death toll exceeds 67,000. Every day, Gaza becomes a place where grief has exceeded the capacity for language. I mourn these lives and send prayers to the broken families. Our government is complicit in all this.”

Mamdani’s statement continued with a call for an end to “occupation and apartheid,” advocating for peace through diplomacy instead of what he termed as “war crimes.” He urged the U.S. government to ensure accountability.

“The past two years reveal the worst of humanity,” he wrote. “In response, we should strive to embody our best: an unyielding commitment to universal human rights.”

The Daily Caller News Foundation reached out to Mamdani’s campaign for comments but did not receive a response.

Fabian Levy, deputy mayor for communications under current Mayor Eric Adams, criticized Mamdani’s statement on social media, saying, “This isn’t just about October 7th. It reflects a lack of belief in Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state and criticizes your own government more than it does a terrorist organization.”

Additionally, Republican Representative Elise Stefanik from New York labeled Mamdani’s remarks as “atrocious” in her own post on X.

Mamdani has faced ongoing scrutiny for his stance on Israel, particularly for being unable to outright condemn his previous comments that some regarded as inciting violence against Jews.