New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani ignited fierce backlash on Wednesday following a social media post marking the anniversary of the October 7 massacre. Former Israeli Ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan, Israel’s Consul General in New York Ofir Akunis, and U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee harshly condemned the mayor’s rhetoric and the timing of his statements.
1+Responding to the post, Consul General Akunis stated: “A disgrace, dishonor, and blatant contempt for the memory of the murdered. It is not too late to attend our screening of the atrocities film tonight and witness with your own eyes, for the first time, what human monsters you are supporting.”
Akunis further stressed that Mamdani, “with complete lack of human sensitivity, continues to spread his antisemitic blood libels against the Jewish state. It is a disgrace for the city of New York that such an individual stands at its helm, choosing on this very day to disparage the memory of those slaughtered.”
1+U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee joined the severe reprimand, characterizing Mamdani’s statement as “outrageous and repulsive,” emphasizing that it was issued on a day dedicated to honoring the memory of more than 1,200 civilians butchered by Hamas, including 46 American citizens. Huckabee drew a direct comparison to September 11, noting that Mamdani’s rhetoric resembled an anniversary statement where one mourns terror victims while equally condemning the United States’ defensive response. “There is no genocide in Gaza,” Ambassador Huckabee wrote, adding that sole responsibility for civilian casualties across the Strip rests entirely on Hamas due to its refusal to surrender and release the remaining hostages.
Concluding his remarks, Huckabee sharpened his tone, stating that a mere apology would be wholly insufficient, adding: “God help the people of New York for electing a jihad sympathizer.”