Terror Chants at Mayor’s Event Exposed

A speaker at a conference holding a microphone and gesturing while speaking

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani shares a Ramadan stage with an activist who chanted for Hamas to bomb Tel Aviv, raising alarms about radical influences in city leadership.

Story Highlights

Mamdani introduced at MAS mosque event by Abdullah Akl, who led “Strike, strike Tel Aviv” chants and praised Hamas figures.
Akl’s history includes flag-burning rallies and rejecting two-state solution, signaling rejection of Israel’s existence.
Pattern of controversial hires: Officials blaming Israel for October 7 attack and replacement of antisemitism office director with Israel critic.
Event follows foiled ISIS-inspired bomb plot in NYC, heightening security concerns amid anti-Israel activism.

Akl’s Extremist Rhetoric Exposed

Abdullah Akl, political director of MAS New York, introduced Mayor Mamdani at a Staten Island Ramadan celebration in early March 2026. Akl led chants of “Strike, strike Tel Aviv” during a 2024 New York protest. He called slain Hamas spokesman Abu Obeida “our beloved” and rallied crowds for “intifada.” His activism dates to 2021 rallies where protesters burned U.S. and Israeli flags, chanting “From the River to the Sea.” Akl declared, “We don’t want no two-state, we want all of it.” These statements reject peaceful coexistence and endorse violence against Israel, a key U.S. ally.

Mamdani Celebrated Ramadan With Man Who Called for Bombing Tel Avivhttps://t.co/PYq1xNdK5F

— PJ Media (@PJMedia_com) March 10, 2026

Mamdani’s Pattern of Radical Associations

Since inauguration, Mamdani appointed three officials who cofounded a Muslim group blaming Israel for the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack that killed 1,200 and kidnapped 250. He named Alvaro Lopez, who praised remover of Israeli hostage flyers as “heroes,” Brooklyn borough director. Waleed Shahid joined as deputy communications director. In February 2026, Mamdani ousted Rabbi Moshe Davis from the Mayor’s Office to Combat Antisemitism, replacing him with an Israel critic. Davis cited his pro-Israel Jewish identity as the reason for dismissal. These moves prioritize anti-Israel voices over community safety.

Controversial Statements and Backlash

On October 7, 2025, Mamdani mourned Israeli victims but accused Israel of a “genocidal war,” demanding end to “occupation and apartheid.” He insisted peace comes through diplomacy, not “war crimes.” Israel’s Foreign Ministry called it “shameful Hamas propaganda,” stating Mamdani “stands with Jews only when they are dead.” Former Councilman Rory Lancman accused him of attacking Israel’s existence without condemning Hamas. Eric Adams demanded hostage returns and Hamas dismantling. Pro-Palestinian activist Nerdeen Kiswani deemed it insufficiently anti-Israel.

Security Threats Amid Community Tensions

The Ramadan event followed a March 8, 2026 ISIS-inspired attack attempt when an explosive device failed near a protest. Suspects Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi aimed to exceed 2013 Boston Marathon casualties. Mamdani’s ties to Akl, who seeks to hold him “accountable” on anti-Israel stances, occur as Jewish New Yorkers fear rising antisemitism. Replacing the antisemitism director undermines city commitments. These associations risk polarizing communities, complicating governance and security in a diverse city. President Trump’s border security focus contrasts sharply, prioritizing American safety over radical appeasement.

Implications for NYC and Conservative Values

Mamdani’s refusal in June 2025 to call Israel a Jewish state, saying only it “has a right to exist,” drew scrutiny. He skipped co-sponsoring a 2025 Holocaust resolution. Power dynamics show grassroots activists like Akl influencing mayoral policy, eroding institutional trust. Jewish leaders view this as legitimizing terrorism. Long-term, it deepens divisions, challenges interfaith relations, and questions municipal antisemitism efforts. Under President Trump, national policies emphasize security and limited government, offering a model against local overreach favoring extremists.