New York City – On Wednesday evening, a crowd of over 100 anti‑Israel protesters marched from City Hall to Union Square, where an “Israelis for Peace” vigil was being held to remember the victims of the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attacks. The demonstrators positioned themselves just outside the barricades, beating drums and shouting slogans aimed at Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Protesters’ Accusations
The protesters repeatedly called the mayor a “traitor,” accused him of “genocide,” and demanded that he stop “weaponizing being brown.” Chanting included, “Zohran, what do you say? How many kids did you kill today?” and “700,000 dead. Mamdani, your hands are red!” They also demanded that the city halt real‑estate events promoting properties in Israeli settlements, which they described as “stolen” land.
One participant claimed to be a former intern for the mayor, asserting that Mamdani “was never working for the people.” The crowd also called for the abolition of the City University of New York Board of Trustees, accusing it of ignoring calls to divest from Israel‑linked investments.
Mayor’s Response
Mayor Mamdani, who was present at the vigil and held a candle, later issued a statement condemning the Oct. 7 Hamas attack as a “horrific war crime.” He also characterized Israel’s subsequent military campaign as a genocide, writing that the Israeli government’s actions have killed more than 74,000 Palestinians, including over 21,000 children.
“The suffering did not begin nor end that day,” Mamdani wrote. “It instead continued through the Israeli government’s devastating, ongoing genocide in Gaza.” His remarks sparked bipartisan criticism, including from Rep. Dan Goldman (D‑NY), who called the mayor’s comments “egregious and insulting” and urged focus on the terror attack itself rather than victim‑blaming.
Context and Reactions
The vigil was organized as an evening of mourning for the victims of the Oct. 7 attacks and the subsequent bloodshed affecting both Israelis and Palestinians. While the mayor’s criticism of Israel’s actions aligns with a long‑standing New York tradition of vocal debate over foreign policy, the protesters’ aggressive tactics and personal attacks on Mamdani have drawn concern from community leaders who stress the need for respectful discourse.
City & State New York reported that the demonstrators attempted to drown out speakers at the vigil, prompting security to intervene. No arrests were reported, and the vigil concluded without further incident.
What’s Next?
The mayor’s office has not indicated any policy changes in response to the protest’s demands regarding real‑estate events or the CUNY Board of Trustees. Critics on both sides continue to debate the appropriate balance between free expression and protecting public officials from harassment.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
