New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani skipped the city's Israel Day parade on Sunday, becoming the first mayor to do so since 1964, citing opposition to the Israeli government's actions in Gaza. His absence contrasted with other Democratic politicians who attended, including Senator Chuck Schumer and Governor Kathy Hochul, though some later distanced themselves from Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's controversial participation.
Mamdani's no-show angered some pro-Israel leaders, who have consistently opposed his leadership over his criticism of Israel. Jonathan Greenblatt, chief executive of the pro-Israel Anti-Defamation League, wrote in the Times of Israel: "His absence wasn't the result of some kind of scheduling conflict. It was an ideological assertion and a disgraceful one."
In November 2023, the Anti-Defamation League classified protest events led by groups including Jewish Voice for Peace and IfNotNow as "anti-Israel", adding the protests to a database documenting rising antisemitism in the US. ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt labelled both organizations as "hate groups".
Greenblatt defended Elon Musk's nazi salute at the 2025 inauguration, he has very little credibility. Also the parade had Smotrich who is the architect of the West Bank settler program in it. It would have been wildly inappropriate for Mamdani to participate.
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New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani skipped the city's Israel Day parade on Sunday, becoming the first mayor to do so since 1964, citing opposition to the Israeli government's actions in Gaza. His absence contrasted with other Democratic politicians who attended, including Senator Chuck Schumer and Governor Kathy Hochul, though some later distanced themselves from Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's controversial participation.
Hmmm, that name sounds familiar:
Consider the source.
Greenblatt defended Elon Musk's nazi salute at the 2025 inauguration, he has very little credibility. Also the parade had Smotrich who is the architect of the West Bank settler program in it. It would have been wildly inappropriate for Mamdani to participate.