The protest also saw Jewish counter-protesters insult and taunt the anti-Zionist activists by shouting against the Palestinians, chanting in support of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and shouting \u201cFuck Mamdani.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mamdani\u2019s initial statement did not single out either side, or mention antisemitism or Hamas.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe rhetoric and displays that we saw and heard in Kew Gardens Hills last night are wrong and have no place in our city,\u201d Mamdani said in a statement his spokesperson shared with The Times of Israel.<\/p>\n
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\t\t\t\tBy signing up, you agree to the terms<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cMy team is in close touch with the NYPD regarding last night\u2019s protest and counterprotest. We will continue to ensure New Yorkers\u2019 safety entering and exiting houses of worship as well as the constitutional right to protest,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n A follow-up comment posted to Mamdani\u2019s social media was more explicit, saying, \u201cChants in support of a terrorist organization have no place in our city.\u201d<\/p>\n As I said earlier today, chants in support of a terrorist organization have no place in our city. We will continue to ensure New Yorkers\u2019 safety entering and exiting houses of worship as well as the constitutional right to protest. pic.twitter.com\/0J4GXWigiv<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) January 9, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Mamdani is a far-left, anti-Israel activist who has alarmed many New York Jews with his anti-Israel statements and positions, such as his refusal to recognize Israel\u2019s right to exist as a Jewish state. During his mayoral campaign, Mamdani sparked a firestorm of criticism by defending the phrase \u201cGlobalize the intifada,\u201d seen by many Jews as support for terrorism, before later saying he would \u201cdiscourage\u201d the slogan.\n<\/p>\n In November, after a similar protest outside a Manhattan synagogue, Mamdani sparked an uproar by criticizing both the protesters, and the synagogue, which he said had violated international law by hosting an event by Nefesh B\u2019nefesh, a group that facilitates Jewish immigration to Israel, and provides information to immigrants who seek to move to the West Bank.<\/p>\n Mamdani\u2019s initial statement on Thursday\u2019s protest came nearly 24 hours after the demonstration, at the end of the workday on Friday, and followed more forceful condemnations from nearly all of New York\u2019s leadership, many of whom labeled the protest antisemitic and dangerous.<\/p>\n Some Jewish community members, such as State Assemblymember Sam Berger, who represents Kew Gardens Hills, had criticized Mamdani for not speaking out.<\/p>\n Kew Gardens Hills has a large Orthodox and Bukharan Jewish population. The protest took place next to a yeshiva and a public school, which both canceled after-school activities due to safety concerns.<\/p>\n \t New York Governor Kathy Hochul said, \u201cHamas is a terrorist organization that calls for the genocide of Jews. No matter your political beliefs, this type of rhetoric is disgusting, it\u2019s dangerous, and it has no place in New York.\u201d<\/p>\n US Representative Grace Meng, who represents the neighborhood in Congress, said, \u201cPublicly and proudly declaring support for Hamas is vile antisemitism meant to intimidate the Jewish community. I strongly condemn it and stand against antisemitism, terrorism, and all forms of hate.\u201d<\/p>\n Julie Menin, the Jewish, recently sworn-in New York City speaker, said that siding with Hamas \u201cstokes fear and division.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI will continue to fight against vile antisemitism such as this, and I urge everyone to come together at this time to combat rising hatred in all its forms,\u201d said Menin, whose powerful role in the city government could serve as a counterweight to Mamdani.<\/p>\n Both of New York\u2019s senators in Congress, Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, issued forceful condemnations, as did several New York House members, Congressional representatives from other states, and the Queens borough president.<\/p>\n Some Mamdani allies were more explicit in their criticism, including New York Attorney General Letitia James and Jewish Congressional candidate Brad Lander.<\/p>\n \u201cHamas is a terrorist organization. We do not support terrorists. Period,\u201d James said.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s be crystal clear: this is vile antisemitism,\u201d Lander said.<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tAnti-Zionist protesters in New York City, January 8, 2026. (Luke Tress\/Times of Israel)<\/p>\n
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