NYC mayor Mamdani calls Hamas “terrorists”

• Mayor Zohran Mamdani, New York City’s first Muslim mayor, issued a firm condemnation of pro-Hamas chants during a Queens protest, labeling Hamas a "terrorist organization" and stating that such rhetoric has "no place" in the city.
• The demonstrations outside a Kew Gardens Hills synagogue, originally targeting an ‘Israeli’ real estate event, devolved into high-tension confrontations between activists supporting Hamas and counter-protesters shouting racial slurs, though police maintained barriers to prevent physical violence.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemned chants supporting Hamas during a heated protest in Queens, calling the group a "terrorist organization."

The statement came in response to demonstrations outside a synagogue in Kew Gardens Hills on Thursday, where pro-Palestinian activists voiced opposition to an event promoting real estate opportunities in ‘Israel’ and the occupied West Bank.

Mamdani has historically been critical of ‘Israeli’ policies but the statement marks his firm distance away from endorsements of Hamas.

The protest, organized against what demonstrators described as the sale of "stolen Palestinian land," escalated into confrontations between pro-Palestinian and pro-‘Israel’ groups.

Pro-Palestinian participants chanted "Say it loud, say it clear, we support Hamas here," while counter-protesters responded with threats, racial slurs, and chants including "death to Palestine."

Police maintained barriers to separate the crowds, ensuring no physical violence occurred.

The following day, Mamdani addressed the incident following a Brooklyn event, stating, "That language is wrong. I think that language has no place in New York City."

He later said on X, "As I said earlier today, chants in support of a terrorist organization have no place in our city. We will continue to ensure New Yorkers’ safety entering and exiting houses of worship as well as the constitutional right to protest."

As I said earlier today, chants in support of a terrorist organization have no place in our city. We will continue to ensure New Yorkers’ safety entering and exiting houses of worship as well as the constitutional right to protest. pic.twitter.com/0J4GXWigiv

— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) January 9, 2026

Mamdani's response contrasts with his prior positions on the ‘Israeli’-Palestinian conflict.

As a former state assemblyman and Democratic Socialist, he has supported the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement and opposed city investments in ‘Israeli’ bonds, citing adherence to international law.

In his first week as mayor, following his election victory, he rescinded executive orders from predecessor Eric Adams that broadly defined antisemitism and restricted BDS activities among city employees.