Mayoral candidates Zohran Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo, and Curtis Sliwa.
Left: Photograph by Lloyd Mitchell; Middle & Proper: Photograph by Jonathan Portee
New York Metropolis mayoral hopefuls on Tuesday marked the two-year anniversary of Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 assault on Israel and the beginning of Israel’s ongoing conflict in Gaza.
As a possible hostage deal and ceasefire cling within the steadiness of negotiations in Egypt between officers from Israel, Hamas, the USA, and Qatar, the two-year anniversary of the assault and the beginning of the conflict was met with each grief and protest in New York Metropolis.
In its 2023 assault, Hamas killed almost 1,200 individuals in Israel and took about 250 individuals hostage. After the assaults, Israel went to conflict with Hamas in Gaza — a bloody battle that has led to an estimated dying toll of greater than 67,000, in response to Palestinian well being authorities. Some 20 hostages are believed to be remaining in captivity.
Right here is how the three remaining mayoral candidates, 4 weeks out from Election Day, responded to the anniversary.
Mamdani mourns victims of Hamas assault, condemns Israel’s ‘genocidal war’
Meeting Member Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for mayor who’s main within the polls, issued a Tuesday morning assertion about Hamas’ “horrific war crime” carried out on Oct. 7, 2023.
“I mourn these lives and pray for the safe return of every hostage still held and for every family whose lives were torn apart by these atrocities,” his assertion reads.
Mamdani then condemned what he known as a “genocidal war” carried out by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli authorities within the two years since Hamas’ assault — noting specifically the bombing of faculties, hospitals, and houses in Gaza; the Israeli authorities has stated that Hamas had hidden weapons at lots of the bombing targets.
“Every day in Gaza has become a place where grief itself has run out of language,” Mamdani wrote. “I mourn these lives and pray for the families that have been shattered. Our government has been complicit through it all.”
A contingent of American politicians has expressed outrage on the Israeli authorities for its marketing campaign in Gaza and at the USA for persevering with its sale of arms to Israel. The Democratic Socialists of America, of which Mamdani is a member, has known as for a full arms embargo between Israel and the USA.
Mamdani has known as Israel’s marketing campaign in Gaza a “genocide” — a cost levied by some within the early days of the conflict and which is gaining broader acceptance because the Palestinian dying toll rises. The United Nations Impartial Worldwide Fee of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory launched a report final month alleging that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.
“This must end,” Mamdani wrote in his Tuesday assertion. “The occupation and apartheid must end. Peace must be pursued through diplomacy, not war crimes, and our government must act to end these atrocities and hold those responsible to account.”
Mamdani’s criticism of Israel and refusal to outright condemn the phrase “globalize the intifada” has spurred concern amongst some Jewish leaders and voters that his election as mayor would make New York Metropolis much less secure.
Cuomo condemns Hamas assault, antisemitism in NYC
Impartial candidate and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who misplaced the June Democratic major to Mamdani, issued an announcement on X addressing the two-year anniversary of Hamas’ assault.
“Two years ago today, the world watched in horror as Hamas terrorists murdered, raped and kidnapped innocent men, women & children,” the put up reads. “Today on October 7th, I am remembering the hostages and all who were brutally taken from us at the hands of Hamas.”
Cuomo has targeted a lot of his marketing campaign on battling antisemitism in New York Metropolis — “combating antisemitism” is listed as one in all 10 marketing campaign priorities on his web site.
He has advocated for the adoption of the Worldwide Holocaust Remembrance Affiliation definition of antisemitism, sturdy enforcement towards antisemitic hate crimes, and safety towards antisemitic incidents in faculties.
“To the Jewish people- I stand with you,” Cuomo’s Tuesday put up reads. “I mourn with you and I will forever be by your side in the fight against evil and anti-semitism in all forms.”
“Bring them home NOW,” he wrote of the hostages nonetheless held by Hamas in Gaza.
Mayor Eric Adams, who dropped his bid for reelection on Sept. 28 amid low polling and traditionally poor approval rankings, ran his impartial marketing campaign on the “EndAntisemitism” celebration line.
After his departure from the sphere, varied Orthodox Jewish teams backed Cuomo’s marketing campaign for mayor, seeing him as the only option to beat Mamdani on the poll field in November.
Sliwa commemorates Hamas assault, calls ensuing violence ‘disheartening’
Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa, the Guardian Angels founder, animal rights activist, and staunch critic of Adams, Mamdani, and Cuomo alike, commemorated the anniversary of Hamas’ assault and the beginning of the conflict in a put up on X on Tuesday afternoon.
“October 7th was a dark day, and the memory of the attacks and the innocent lives lost must never be forgotten,” Sliwa’s put up reads. “The death and destruction that has followed in the region is deeply disheartening, and my prayers are with all families here in New York and abroad who continue to feel this pain.”
Sliwa known as for the discharge of all hostages and an finish to hate in New York Metropolis.
“What happens there also impacts us here at home, which is why my focus as mayor will be on ensuring that all forms of hate are confronted and that every New Yorker is kept safe,” Sliwa wrote.
Sliwa, who’s polling final among the many remaining candidates, has more and more gained traction in a uniquely aggressive mayoral election, wanting to attract moderates away from the embattled Cuomo and controversial Mamdani.
