NEW YORK CITY (VINnews)-Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Thursday defended his decision to boycott the Israel Day Parade, breaking a longstanding tradition and drawing sharp criticism for prioritizing his personal political views over the city’s historic ties to the Jewish community.
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Mamdani, who has faced accusations of anti-Israel activism throughout his rise to power, became the first New York City mayor to skip the annual event since 1964. The parade, a major celebration of Israeli culture and U.S.-Israel relations, typically draws tens of thousands and has long served as a key show of solidarity with the Jewish community, the largest outside Israel.
In remarks that highlighteded his strained relationship with pro-Israel New Yorkers, Mamdani pointed to campaign promises as justification for his absence.
“I said on the campaign trail that I wouldn’t be attending the parade, and I’ve made my views on the Israeli government abundantly clear,” he said.
The mayor then attempted to frame his no-show as a matter of public safety, claiming his presence could somehow endanger residents — a rationale critics dismissed as evasive and politically motivated.
“And I also said on that same campaign that I would have a responsibility as the mayor of the city to ensure the safety and security of each and every New Yorker,” Mamdani added. “And I don’t believe that my presence as the mayor should determine whether or not a New Yorker is safe or secure.”
The comments fueled accusations that Mamdani is more interested in appeasing progressive activists than fulfilling the unifying role expected of the city’s chief executive. Jewish leaders and pro-Israel groups have long expressed concern over his past statements on Israel, viewing his boycott as yet another signal of hostility toward the Jewish state at a time of heightened global antisemitism.
Mamdani’s decision comes amid ongoing tensions following the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel and the subsequent war, which have deeply divided New Yorkers. By skipping the parade, the Mayor has further alienated a key constituency in a city where support for Israel has historically crossed party lines.
Who wants him there anyway
Why do we need an anti semite at the parade? Let Mamdani stay with his Islamists. Let Schumer stand with the Leftists. Hope Lander, Nadler and Goldman stay home. We don’t need self hating Jews.Let’s enjoy this great day as we have throughout our decades in NYC. Jews built this city. Let’s celebrate Israel and NYC. Am Yisroel Chai.
May he meet an ignominious end בקרוב
Mamdani is a low-class pos scumbag radical Muslim Islamonazi terrorist and a very rich communist who is an expert with taqiyya. He is a vile anti-Semite and hater of all Jews and supports globalising the intifada and the destruction of the Jewish State of Israel. He wants to destroy the US and turn it into another backward 3rd world shithole like his home country of Uganda, where he and his fugly wife should be deported back to asap.
POS DEVIL WORSHIPPER JEW HATER
VIN, PLEASE, please, please, stop publishing pictures of that shtick treif fleish mit tzvai oigen standing next to the satmardami chaya ra’ah?
What did you expect being he is an Intifadist Hamas Nazi Democrat.
Make all the snide comments you wish, this is a watershed moment for Yidden in this country. That the mayor of the city with the largest population of Yidden outside Tel Aviv is completely comfortable snubbing the Salute to Israel Parade is of concern. Further other than the criticism here, many others are celebrating this snub. Times are changing and if you are not thinking about returning to EY, let this go up on your radar.
MAMDANI IS JEWS’ ENEMY. PIECE OF KHARA.
I don’t know why there is even discussion of him attending the parade. He has a clear scheduling conflict. At the time of the parade he is being honored in the Satmar Bais Medrish!
I’m literally throwing up just from watchin this video. Who needs this dumb mayor at the parade anyway?!?! No apologies needed sir- your not welcomed. You invited him in first place??
he is an antisemite. rabbi
He will march with terrorists like himself
Mamdani is an antisemite.
It’s a reason he was elected a Mayor of New York . His voters are mostly antisemites.
How he could betray his voters by leading Israeli parade?!
Why Jews wanted him to lead the parade?????
It’s beyond me to understand.
I see that VIN is afraid to keep my very sensible comments that happen to go against the anti-Mamdani narrative. VIN has no morals or backbone. Time to boycott advertisers again.
Why is he obligated to attend??
Just get lost
Why do we need this dog at a Jewish parade
I agree 100% with Weiss guy. If there was a frum mayor he wouldn’t March in the pride parade if Mamdani wants to believe the Nakba lie and the Palestinian buba massa then he shouldn’t March in the Israeli day parade.
He’s going to be marching with his Satmar chevra across the street
Why should religious Jews march with reform and conservative that want Israel to recognize non-Jews as Jewish because of their groups malicious false “conversions” and try the to destroy the sanctity of the prayers at the Kotel? Why should religious Jews want to march with groups that have destroyed the sanctity of Tel Aviv by destroying Jewish family life? Why should Jews want to support Israel that has not had the backbone to formally annex Yehuda and Shomron and repeatedly harasses the Jews who set up ‘settlements’?