Mamdani defends Oct. 7 message that angered Jewish leaders, unnerved some Democrats

Zohran Mamdani, a New York City mayoral candidate and state assemblyman, is facing backlash for his statements on the third anniversary of the October 7 attacks. Mamdani's official message condemned Hamas' actions as a 'horrific war crime' but also characterized Israel's military response as an 'ongoing genocide' and noted that suffering did not begin or end on that specific day. During a recent press conference, Mamdani defended his remarks, arguing for the necessity of mourning both the 1,100 Israelis killed by Hamas and the Palestinians killed since, while maintaining that Israel is using the massacre to justify genocide. His comments have been criticized by Jewish leaders and fellow Democrats, including Rep. Dan Goldman, who accused him of victim-blaming.

Zohran Mamdani, a New York City mayoral candidate and state assemblyman, is facing backlash for his statements on the third anniversary of the October 7 attacks. Mamdani's official message condemned Hamas' actions as a 'horrific war crime' but also characterized Israel's military response as an 'ongoing genocide' and noted that suffering did not begin or end on that specific day. During a recent press conference, Mamdani defended his remarks, arguing for the necessity of mourning both the 1,100 Israelis killed by Hamas and the Palestinians killed since, while maintaining that Israel is using the massacre to justify genocide. His comments have been criticized by Jewish leaders and fellow Democrats, including Rep. Dan Goldman, who accused him of victim-blaming.