Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's upcoming visit to New York for the UN General Assembly is expected to again bring attention to Mayor Zohran Mamdani's critical stance on Israel, according to critics. While Mamdani has acknowledged he cannot order NYPD officers to arrest Netanyahu, he has called for large-scale protests against the Israeli leader's visit.
This call for protests comes at a time when city police are increasing security for both the 9/11 commemoration ceremonies and Rosh Hashana celebrations, periods during which threats of Islamist and antisemitic violence are elevated. Critics contend that Mamdani's focus on protesting Netanyahu detracts from pressing local issues facing New York City.
Mamdani's past actions and statements regarding Israel have been highlighted by critics. During his mayoral campaign and early months in office, he advocated for enforcing an arrest warrant for Netanyahu, a promise that was later met with criticism from former President Donald Trump, who stated Netanyahu would not be arrested. Following this, Mamdani released a video emphasizing the importance of protest in New York City.
Critics have also pointed to Mamdani's responses to incidents involving Israelis and Palestinians. His reaction to the stabbing of Moshe Yezhak Grunhaus, which involved a man shouting "Allahu Akbar," was criticized for its delayed response and for not initially labeling it a hate crime. As mayor-elect, Mamdani's response to a demonstration outside the Park East Synagogue also drew criticism when he stated the attendees were in "violation of international law."
Further drawing scrutiny are Mamdani's remarks on October 7, 2023, the day of the Hamas attacks, where he expressed sadness for "the hundreds of people killed across Israel and Palestine in the last 36 hours," which some interpreted as drawing a moral equivalence between aggressor and victim. Earlier, he had stated that "when the boot of the NYPD is on your neck, it’s been laced by the IDF."
Critics argue that Mamdani and his supporters prioritize criticism of Israel over addressing critical needs within New York City, such as educational performance, public safety issues related to recidivism, budget shortfalls, jail reform, and the presence of homeless encampments. The assertion is that the mayor's attention to the UN visit and the Israeli prime minister is disproportionate given these local challenges, and that his focus on Israel fosters division within the city.