00:19Zoran Mamdani faced a new wave of backlash on the third anniversary of the October 7th attacks
00:25as anti-Zionist protesters gathered outside New York City Hall and accused the mayor of abandoning the Palestinian cause.
00:35The protesters targeted Mamdani over his handling of Israel-related events in New York,
00:41the policing of demonstrations, public college investments in defense companies,
00:46and his administration's strategy to combat anti-Semitism.
00:50Chants aimed directly at the mayor included justice for Palestine and accusations that Mamdani had become a normalizer.
01:00Some demonstrators also carried Hamas and Hezbollah flags.
01:05The Times of Israel reported that the rally was organized by several activist groups
01:10and was the first major anti-Zionist protest specifically targeting Mamdani.
01:16The backlash did not stop there.
01:19Later that evening, protesters disrupted a candlelight vigil in Union Square, organized by Israelis for peace,
01:27where Mamdani appeared alongside other New York officials.
01:31Demonstrators outside the police barricades shouted,
01:35Zoran, you can't hide, and accused him of having blood on his hands.
01:39The protests came after Mamdani released his own October 7th statement.
01:45While acknowledging the Israeli victims and hostages, he focused heavily on Israel's actions in Gaza,
01:52describing what he called an ongoing genocide and apartheid.
01:56His statement triggered criticism from Jewish organizations and Israeli officials.
02:01The confrontation highlights a growing political dilemma for Mamdani.
02:06While he has long been one of New York's most vocal critics of Israel,
02:10some pro-Palestinian activists now accuse him of compromising those positions after taking office.
02:17At the same time, Jewish organizations have criticized his administration's approach to anti-Semitism,
02:24particularly its handling of anti-Zionism and concerns over Jewish safety.
02:30So, on October 7th, Mamdani found himself facing pressure from both sides,
02:35with pro-Palestinian protesters accusing him of betrayal,
02:39while Jewish groups continue demanding stronger recognition of the threats facing their community.
02:45And the clash outside City Hall shows just how intense New York's battle over Israel,
02:51Palestine, anti-Semitism, and protest politics has become.
