Brief
NYC Mayor Mamdani faces backlash after Oct. 7 vigil remarks on Israel and Gaza
Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s comments at a third‑anniversary vigil drew protests and accusations of antisemitism.
By Felo News Desk · Published
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani attended a Union Square vigil on Oct. 7, 2026, marking the third anniversary of Hamas’ attacks on Israel. In a statement that condemned Hamas’ "horrific war crimes" and described Israel’s Gaza campaign as a "genocide," he was interrupted by pro‑Palestinian demonstrators who accused him of betraying the cause.
What happened
The vigil, held on Wednesday night, gathered several hundred attendees. Mamdani opened his remarks by acknowledging the "unthinkable loss" suffered by Israelis on Oct. 7. He then said the suffering continued, citing Israel’s ongoing actions in Gaza that, according to his office, had killed more than 74,000 Palestinians, including over 21,000 children. Protesters shouted "traitor" and disrupted the mayor’s speech, demanding he retract his comments.
What the reports add
Gulf News noted that Mamdani, the city’s first Muslim mayor and a longtime defender of Palestinian rights, has faced criticism from both Jewish groups and far‑left activists. The outlet quoted U.S. Rep. Dan Goldman, a Jewish Democrat, who called Mamdani’s statement "reprehensible" and accused him of presenting disputed allegations as fact. The article also reported that Mamdani later told reporters, "I am the mayor of New York City and this is what I signed up for," suggesting he accepted the controversy as part of his role.
What was said
Mayor Mamdani said, "I am the mayor of New York City and this is what I signed up for," as reported by Gulf News. Rep. Dan Goldman wrote on X, "This is a reprehensible statement on the anniversary of the horrific terrorist attack by a Palestinian terrorist organization against innocent Israelis." The mayor’s earlier statement read, "The suffering did not begin nor end that day. It instead continued through the Israeli government’s devastating, ongoing genocide in Gaza, in which it has killed more than 74,000 Palestinians — including more than 21,000 children."
How it came about
Mamdani’s remarks follow a pattern of outspoken criticism of Israel’s Gaza policy that has drawn scrutiny in a city with the largest Jewish population outside Israel. Felo News previously covered the same vigil, noting that anti‑Israel demonstrators accused the mayor of genocide and called him a traitor. The mayor’s stance has long placed him at the centre of debates over free speech, antisemitism, and the city’s political landscape.
Key facts
- Mayor Zohran Mamdani attended a Union Square vigil on Oct. 7, 2026. (gulfnews.com)
- Mamdani condemned Hamas and called Israel's Gaza response a genocide. (gulfnews.com)
- Pro‑Palestinian protesters shouted "traitor" and disrupted his speech. (gulfnews.com)
- Rep. Dan Goldman called Mamdani's statement reprehensible on X. (gulfnews.com)
- Mamdani later said, "I am the mayor of New York City and this is what I signed up for." (gulfnews.com)
Sources
- [1] gulfnews.com — originally reported as “NYC Mayor Mamdani Faces Backlash Over Oct. 7 Commemoration Remarks on Israel and Gaza”
