New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is publicly urging New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani to concentrate on the day-to-day responsibilities of governing the nation’s largest city rather than continuing to focus attention on Israel, as his rhetoric and policies toward the Jewish state remain a source of controversy.
In an interview with The New York Times published Thursday, Hochul was questioned about Mamdani’s approach to Israel and, in particular, a video the mayor released last month addressing his repeated campaign pledge to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu.
In the video, which generated hundreds of millions of views, Mamdani acknowledged that he does not possess the legal authority to order Netanyahu’s arrest despite having repeatedly promised to do so. The mayor also leveled accusations against Israel, including describing Netanyahu as a war criminal.
The episode was the latest in a lengthy series of controversies surrounding Mamdani’s views on Israel. While campaigning for mayor, Mamdani refused to disavow the slogan “globalize the intifada.” He also faced fierce criticism over remarks he made about Israel on October 8, 2023, just one day after Hamas terrorists carried out the October 7 massacre in southern Israel.
Mamdani has repeatedly accused Israel of committing war crimes during its military campaign against Hamas in Gaza. His stance toward Israel continued to generate controversy immediately after he entered City Hall, when, on his first day as mayor, he revoked executive orders related to Israel that had been enacted by his predecessor, Eric Adams.
The criticism has persisted during Mamdani’s tenure. He became the first New York City mayor to boycott the city’s annual Israel Day Parade, a decision that further strained his relationship with portions of New York’s Jewish community.
Mamdani’s rhetoric and policies have caused particular unease among Jewish New Yorkers at a time when the community has been confronting an increase in antisemitic incidents.
Asked by the Times whether Mamdani’s statements about Israel could leave Jewish residents feeling uncomfortable, Hochul suggested that the mayor would be better served by directing his attention toward the responsibilities awaiting him at City Hall.
“I encourage him to – ‘Let’s focus on blocking and tackling of city government,’” Hochul said, using the football metaphor to emphasize the basic work of managing the city.
The governor cited housing and child care as two major areas where she and Mamdani have common ground and where she believes the mayor’s attention would be more productively directed.
“That’s where I believe the main focus should be,” she added.
Hochul also emphasized that she remains firmly opposed to antisemitism and vowed to confront it whenever necessary, saying she would “throw my body against any antisemitism.”
“I have, and I will,” Hochul said.
The governor has previously broken with Mamdani over his rhetoric toward Netanyahu. When Mamdani’s pledge to arrest the Israeli prime minister became an issue late last year, Hochul dismissed the proposal as beyond the authority of a municipal government.
“The New York City mayor does not have the power to do that,” Hochul said at the time, while also distancing herself from other anti-Israel positions taken by Mamdani.
{Matzav.com}
