New York Jewish Democrats Rebut Netanyahu's U.N. Charge That Mamdani Backs Hamas
Published
Several Jewish Democratic officials in New York pushed back after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu used his U.N. General Assembly speech on Thursday to call Mayor Zohran Mamdani an "antisemite" who is "buddies" with Hamas. Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal called the charge "scurrilous" and the speech a "political ploy," and City Council Speaker Julie Menin said the remarks "can really incite violence." Brad Lander, the Democratic nominee in New York's 10th congressional district, accused Netanyahu and Israeli Consul General Ofir Akunis of "cynically weaponizing accusations of antisemitism." Mamdani, an avowed anti-Zionist, had pledged during his campaign to arrest Netanyahu. Zionist Organization of America president Morton Klein called the speech "Churchillian."
