Mayor Zohran Mamdani stood firm on Monday amid growing backlash from Jewish organizations over his recent video marking “Nakba Day.” The video has sparked criticism, leading several notable Jewish leaders to decline invitations to the mayor’s “Jewish Heritage” event at Gracie Mansion.
In response to The Post’s report highlighting the refusals, Mayor Mamdani attempted to downplay the situation. He reassured reporters during an unrelated event in The Bronx, emphasizing his openness to dialogue with Jewish leaders across the city. “My message to Jewish leaders is simple: my door is always open,” Mamdani stated, expressing his anticipation of welcoming several leaders to Gracie Mansion despite the controversy.
Reiterating his commitment to serving all New Yorkers, Mamdani said, “Being mayor means being there for everyone—those who voted for you, those who didn’t, and even those who didn’t vote at all. I look forward to meeting New Yorkers in various settings, whether at events or on the streets, and engaging in meaningful conversations.”
Among the leaders boycotting the event is Mark Treyger, CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council, which is responsible for organizing the city’s Israel Day Parade. Treyger specifically criticized Mamdani for his anti-Israel rhetoric, which was shared just before the Jewish community began observing Shabbat.
National Jewish organizations have also voiced their disapproval of the video, which discusses the displacement of Palestinians during the establishment of Israel in 1948. They argue that the video lacks essential historical context, further fueling their discontent.
National Jewish groups also expressed outrage over the post about the displacement of Palestinians during the creation of Israel in 1948, noting it omitted key historical context.
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âUsing City Hall resources to post a one-sided video about Israelâs founding â omitting the UN partition plan, the Arab rejection, the reasons that many Palestinians left, the many who stayed and the 850,000 Jewish refugees forced to leave Arab lands â isnât commemoration. Itâs propaganda,â The Anti-Defamation League of New York and New Jersey railed in a post to X Monday morning.
âReleasing it right before Shabbat isnât leadership. Itâs provocation,â the group added.
But the fallout didnât stop Mamdani from doubling down on the video at Mondayâs press conference.
âI firmly believe that acknowledging one peopleâs pain does not preclude you from the acknowledgement of another peopleâs,â he said, adding that it was a âprivilegeâ to share the story of Inea Bushnaq, a “Nakba survivorâ and city resident in the video.
