Mayor V. Mamdani faced criticism over his delayed response to pro-Hamas chants during a protest outside a synagogue in Queens, New York. On Thursday, demonstrators gathered outside the Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills, where a real estate event focused on Jerusalem was taking place. The protest included pro-Palestinian activists who shouted slogans supporting Hamas, a group responsible for the October 7 attack on Israel.
At a press conference on Saturday, Mamdani stated that the protesters’ actions were “wrong” and have “no place in our city.” He emphasized, “There’s no place for support for a terrorist organization in New York City,” aiming to clarify his stance to the public. This event drew considerable attention, particularly due to the synagogue’s location in a neighborhood with a significant Jewish community.
During the protest, videos circulated showing demonstrators waving Palestinian flags and chanting, “Say it loud, say it clear, we support Hamas here!” The protest was a reaction to an event inside the synagogue that some perceived as promoting real estate interests in disputed areas of Israel.
The protest also included counter-protesters who were reported to have shouted racist slurs, as documented by the New York Times. Following the incident, Mamdani was criticized for not denouncing the chants immediately. Critics noted that he did not issue a statement until around 13:00 on Friday, after Eric Adams, his predecessor, had already condemned the demonstrators on social media.
In his initial response, the Mayor mentioned his team’s communication with the New York Police Department (NYPD) regarding the protest. He stated, “We will continue to ensure New Yorkers’ safety entering and exiting houses of worship as well as the constitutional right to protest.”
Later in the day, after facing backlash for not explicitly condemning Hamas, Mamdani reiterated his position. He stated on social media, “Chants in support of a terrorist organization have no place in our city.” His comments aimed to reassure the community amid rising tensions related to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Mamdani has come under scrutiny from various segments of New York’s Jewish community due to his previous statements and positions regarding Israel and the war in Gaza. When questioned about his timing on Saturday, he defended his comments by stating that he responded “around the same time” as Adams and made his stance consistent with his political beliefs.
The protest outside the Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills mirrored a similar incident that occurred on November 19 outside the Park East Synagogue, which also sparked significant political debate. Following that event, NYPD Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch attended a service at the synagogue and expressed regret that a proper buffer zone was not established. An investigation by the NYPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau was launched to review the police’s actions during that protest.
As tensions continue to rise due to the ongoing conflict, Mamdani’s responses and the city’s handling of protests related to this sensitive issue will likely remain under close observation by both the community and local officials.
