Israel's UN Ambassador Criticizes NYC Mayor's Remarks on October 7 Anniversary

<p>Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, criticized New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani for his remarks commemorating the third anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attacks. Danon compared Mamdani’s framing of the event to 'turning September 11 into a day of mourning for al-Qaeda terrorists.'</p><p>Danon accused Mamdani of attempting to 'hijack' the anniversary after the mayor acknowledged the more than 1,100 Israelis killed by Hamas and subsequently made accusations of 'genocide,' 'occupation,' and 'apartheid' against Israel.</p><p>In a response posted on X, Danon stated, 'Mamdani-ism — an attempt to hijack the anniversary of October 7 and turn it into yet another propaganda attack against Israel.' He emphasized, 'We will not let this happen. We will remember those who were murdered, and we will never forget who was behind this massacre.'</p><p>Mamdani's post described the anniversary as 'profoundly painful for so many New Yorkers' and referred to the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack as 'horrific war crimes.' He noted that on that day, Hamas killed over 1,100 Israelis and abducted 251 others, expressing grief for those affected.</p><p>The mayor's statement also addressed the ongoing conflict in Gaza, accusing the Israeli government of committing a 'devastating, ongoing genocide' and citing a Palestinian death toll exceeding 74,000, including over 21,000 children.</p><p>Mamdani alleged that Israel bombed ambulances, targeted residential buildings and journalists, and obstructed food aid at border crossings. Israel has denied these allegations, asserting that it does not intentionally target civilians and has issued warnings to Palestinian civilians about impending attacks.</p><p>Additionally, Mamdani accused the U.S. government of complicity in Israeli actions through military support, stating, 'Three years later, we must refuse to accept a world in which occupation and apartheid continue, where war crimes are met with impunity, and our federal government continues its complicity with every arms shipment.'</p><p>Danon was joined by others in objecting to Mamdani’s comments. Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders called it 'disgusting and shameful' to use October 7th to repeat Hamas’ narratives. Former U.S. Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley criticized Mamdani for his remarks, stating, 'On October 7, Hamas raped, burned, and murdered Israelis and Americans in front of their loved ones.'</p><p>Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, remarked, 'You are weaponizing a day meant for mourning the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust to recycle your usual antizionist talking points.'</p><p>On October 7, 2023, Hamas-led terrorists attacked southern Israel, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages taken. Israelis commemorated the anniversary with memorials and vigils for the victims.</p>