New York Governor Kathy Hochul has provided a strong assurance that the annual "Celebrate Israel Parade" will remain a fixture on the city's calendar, rejecting any notion of its cancellation, JNS reports.
In a conversation with Rabbi Marc Schneier of the Hampton Synagogue, the governor was asked if she would permit New York Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani to "mess" with the parade. Hochul's response was unequivocal.
"Rabbi, that will never happen. Never, never, never happen. That parade will always continue," Hochul said.
Mamdani's campaign has stated that he has no intention of canceling or restricting the parade. However, the candidate has drawn criticism for his anti-Israel stance and actions, including not signing a resolution in May recognizing Israel's 77th anniversary.
Mamdani has also come under fire for his failure to condemn the phrase "globalize the intifada".
He has pledged that if elected, he would ensure New York complies with international law, including honoring potential arrest warrants from the International Criminal Court against figures such as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
When asked about the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, Mamdani avoided a direct answer but stated he would ensure his actions do not violate international laws.
Mamdani has also been criticized for condemning Israel on October 8, 2023, the day after Hamas’s attack on Israel, rather than denouncing the terrorist organization.
US President Donald Trump recently vowed that he would not let "communist lunatic" Mamdani "destroy New York".
Before that, Trump said of Mamdani, “I think he's terrible. He’s a communist. The last thing we need is a communist. I think I’m going to have a lot of fun watching him because he has to come right through this building to get his money.”
Hochul said last month that she told Mamdani that he needs to make amends with the city’s Jewish community.
Speaking in an interview on MSNBC, Hochul said she told Mamdani, “‘You have a lot of healing to do with the Jewish community. Many of your words have been hurtful and hateful to people in their interpretation.”
“No one should have to worry about being in the city and feeling less safe because of who the mayor is and their religious beliefs. So that was important. I raised that concern,” Hochul added.