New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani visited the Upper West Side eatery Ayat Hinds Hall on Wednesday, drawing renewed attention to a chain that was heavily criticized in 2023 for a menu section titled “From the River to the Sea.” The phrase has been described by the Anti‑Defamation League as an implicit call for the eradication of Israel.
Menu language that sparked national debate
The restaurant’s front page displays the slogan “Down with the occupation” in English, Arabic and Hebrew, according to The Times of Israel. Other menu graphics feature the words “Resilience,” “Freedom” and “Save our children” in bold lettering, alongside a map that labels the West Bank, Gaza, Jerusalem and Israel collectively as Palestine.
Critics in 2023 accused the chain of promoting genocidal rhetoric toward Jews. Owner Abdul Elenani defended the wording, noting that the phrase appeared on the menu months before Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack on Israel. Elenani also said he supports a two‑state solution and condemns violence on both sides, and in 2024 he organized a free Shabbat dinner for hundreds of guests.
Mayor’s dinner follows heated vigil
The dinner came shortly after Mamdani was booed at a vigil marking the third anniversary of the Oct. 7 attacks. Demonstrators shouted accusations that the mayor was a “traitor” and demanded accountability for what they described as genocide. One protester asked, “Zohran, what do you say? How many kids did you kill today?” and another claimed, “700,000 dead. Mamdani, your hands are red!”
Despite the hostile reception, Mamdadi reiterated his earlier remarks characterizing Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide while urging universal empathy. “I believe that there must be room to mourn every single life,” he told reporters. “There must be room to mourn the lives of the more than 1,100 that Hamas killed three years ago; there must be room to mourn the 74,000 Palestinians that the Israeli government has killed since.”
Community reaction and broader context
The mayor’s appearance at the restaurant has reignited debate in New York City about free speech, religious tolerance, and the role of public officials in contentious foreign‑policy discussions. While some community leaders have condemned the menu language as hateful, others argue that the restaurant’s messaging reflects a broader call for peace and justice in the region.
Local advocacy groups on both sides of the issue have scheduled town‑hall meetings to discuss the restaurant’s menu and the mayor’s statements. The city’s Office of the Mayor has not indicated any intention to intervene in the restaurant’s operations, citing First Amendment protections.
What’s next for the mayor?
Mayor Mamdani has not announced any changes to his public stance on the Israel‑Gaza conflict. He remains a frequent critic of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, a position that continues to draw both support and condemnation from New Yorkers.
As the city navigates the fallout from the dinner and the ongoing protests, officials say they will monitor community feedback and ensure that public safety is maintained at future events.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
