Chaos erupted Saturday when Socialist Democrat mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani was chased out of a Queens park by a protester accusing him of antisemitism in a dramatic scene that underscored growing outrage over the politician’s history of anti-Israel statements.
Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist who has repeatedly called Israel an “apartheid state” and accused the Jewish nation of “genocide,” was speaking at an outdoor campaign event when the confrontation began.
Video footage shared online shows the protester shouting “Antisemite! Antisemite!” as Mamdani, visibly startled, was quickly ushered away by aides. Dozens of onlookers watched as the socialist candidate abandoned the park mid-speech.
The protester — whose identity was not immediately released — continued to shout accusations as Mamdani left, citing his inflammatory remarks about Israel and his alignment with radical anti-Zionist groups that have glorified Hamas and minimized the atrocities of October 7.
Jewish community leaders applauded the protester’s courage, saying the incident reflected the growing refusal of New Yorkers to tolerate antisemitic rhetoric from public officials.
“This is what accountability looks like,” one local resident told Jewish Breaking News. “If you call for the dismantling of the Jewish state, you should not be welcome in our parks or our politics.”
Mamdani has faced repeated criticism from Jewish organizations for supporting groups such as the Democratic Socialists of America and backing resolutions condemning Israel’s right to defend itself. In 2023, he voted against funding for Holocaust education programs, prompting a backlash from Holocaust survivors and educators.
After Saturday’s incident, Mamdani’s campaign released a brief statement dismissing the protest as a “disruption” and calling for “civil discourse.” But for many in New York’s Jewish community, the message fell flat.
“Words have consequences,” said a Queens synagogue board member. “When a public official spends years demonizing Israel and excusing terrorism, he shouldn’t be surprised when people confront him about it.”
The tense episode comes amid a surge in antisemitic incidents across New York City — from vandalized synagogues to violent attacks on visibly Jewish residents — leaving many to wonder whether candidates like Mamdani are fueling the climate of hate with their rhetoric.
As one observer put it, “He wasn’t chased out because he’s a socialist. He was chased out because he’s an antisemite — and New Yorkers are finally standing up to it.”
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