Controversy Erupts as Mamdani Faces Backlash for ‘Rewriting History’ on Israel’s Founding Amid Nakba Day Commemoration

Mayor Zohran Mamdani faced criticism for allegedly “corrupting history” with a controversial social media post that honored Palestinians, coinciding with the Jewish New York community’s observance of Shabbat.

Known for his critical stance on Israel, Mamdani used his platform to acknowledge “Nakba Day,” which refers to what Palestinians describe as the “catastrophe” coinciding with the establishment of the Jewish state on May 14, 1948. The post, shared on Friday evening, prominently featured a professionally produced video interview with Inea Bushnaq, a self-identified “Nakba survivor” and resident of the city.

“Today marks Nakba Day, an annual remembrance to commemorate the expulsion of more than 700,000 Palestinians between 1947 and 1949 during the creation of the State of Israel and the year that followed,” Mamdani wrote on his official mayoral X account.

“Inea is a New Yorker and a Nakba survivor. She shared her story with us — one of home, tradition, and memory over generations,” he continued.

In the video, Bushnaq recounts her experience of fleeing her home at the age of nine, stating, “the Zionists were coming into Jerusalem.”

The shocking video goes on to claim that the displacement of Palestinians “continues to this day.”

“Mamdani is dangerous, he’s evil, he is stirring the pot of hate,” Americans Against Antisemitism founder Dov Hikind told The Post, stressing how Jewish communities are being targeted in attacks.

“He is corrupting history. He doesn’t know his f—king history,” he blasted, adding that the United Nations voted to create the State of Israel and a Palestinian state, with Jews accepting the plan while five Arab nations – Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq – “rejected it and went to war with Israel.”

Israel ultimately won the war, and the Arab nations later created a day to commemorate the loss.

Mamdani’s outrageous post quickly triggered a firestorm online, with critics slamming him for firing off “political propaganda masquerading as compassion” and accusing him of erasing history.

“He ignores that roughly 850,000 Jews were expelled or forced to flee Arab countries in the years that followed,” one digital naysayer raged on X.

“He presents ‘Nakba Day’ as though it is about grief, when in reality it is a movement that rejects Israel’s existence (and along with it millions of Jews). In a city where Jews are already facing rampant harassment and violence, this kind of one-sided historical revisionism fuels hostility toward Jews.”

As anti-Israel protests continue across the Big Apple, including outside synagogues, Mamdani has not condemned the rowdy demonstrations and has instead doubled down on his support for them.

“This video provokes and justifies acts of revenge and hate on Jews and Jewish Synagogues across NYC,” one commenter raged, as another blasted him for “leaving out some key historical facts.”

“Ok!! I’m done being nice… You are putting Jews everywhere at risk by not providing historical context for this,” United Jewish Teachers President Moshe Spern fumed on X.

“You are putting Jews in harms way!! Enough is enough!!”

Mamdani has had a strained relationship with Jewish leaders since he ran for office last year, as he was criticized for controversial comments and stances including outspoken criticisms of Israel.

Critics have also expressed concern over the mayor’s refusal to condemn the “globalize the intifada” rallying cry for violence against Jewish people. 

First Lady Rama Duwaji has also come under fire for social media posts praising Palestinian terrorists, bashing Israel, and reportedly once liking posts celebrating the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist massacre in Israel.

Mamdani defended his wife, and she apologized in April for the “hurt” caused by alarming social media posts – though did not directly express regret for the Israel-bashing content.