New York Mayor Zoran Mamdani is involved in a major political debate following his statement on the anniversary of the October 7th 2023 attacks.
In the official statement, Mamdani described October 7th as an extremely painful day for many New Yorkers. He cited the killing of more than 1,100 Israelis and the kidnapping of 251 Hamas, expressing condolences for victims' families.
However, the main part of his statement focused on the situation in Gaza and the criticism of the Israeli government. Mamdan named Israel's war and actions in Gaza in very harsh terms, citing even charges of war crimes and genocide.
The statement prompted reactions from the Jewish community's organisation and figures in New York, which accused the mayor of politicising a memorial day. At the same time, some pro-Palestinian activists criticised him on the other hand, claiming Mamdani was not doing enough for the Palestinian cause.
Tensions also surfaced during a memorial ceremony in Union Square, where Mamdan faced reactions and calls from participants. Events again indicated that the issue of Israel and Palestine remains extremely polarizing in New York.
