New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani Under Fire for Comments on Oct. 7 Attack on Israel

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has stirred controversy with his remarks concerning the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Two prominent figures in New York politics have yet to speak on the issue.

Mamdani’s statement on the incident briefly acknowledged Hamas’ attack, which resulted in over 1,100 Israeli deaths and more than 250 hostages captured. However, his comments mostly criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza over the past three years.

“The suffering did not begin nor end that day. It continued through the Israeli government’s ongoing genocide in Gaza, killing over 74,000 Palestinians, including more than 21,000 children,” Mamdani stated on X. “Even since the supposed ceasefire, over 1,400 Palestinians have been killed.”

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, both Democrats from New York, have not addressed Mamdani’s remarks. Representative Dan Goldman, a New York Democrat, has criticized Mamdani’s statement. Goldman called it “reprehensible” and warned that Mamdani’s comments might further upset those mourning the events of that day.

Mamdani notably excluded mention of the Jewish community in New York City, which is home to nearly one million Jews, according to the UJA-Federation of New York.

Schumer and Jeffries also released their statements concerning the Oct. 7 attack. Schumer, highlighting his Jewish heritage, described it as “the single deadliest day in Jewish history since the Holocaust.” Although Schumer supports Israel, some Senate Democrats are starting to question funding for Israeli arms amid ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Jeffries echoed Schumer’s sentiments and emphasized the Jewish people’s enduring struggle for survival. He commented on the Middle East’s suffering over the last three years, underscoring the deaths of Palestinian civilians, destruction of civil society, and devastation in Gaza.

Jeffries suggested a shift in American policy, advocating for an independent Palestinian state to ensure dignity, respect, and self-determination for Palestinians.