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Mamdani Condemns Pro-Hamas Chant Outside Queens Synagogue, Uses ‘Terrorist’ Label for First Time

Officials are weighing whether the chant crossed from protected speech into a hate crime, prompting review of safety measures for houses of worship.

Overview

  • Pro-Palestinian demonstrators outside Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills chanted “We support Hamas here” during a protest tied to West Bank real-estate sales promoted at the venue.
  • Mayor Zohran Mamdani issued a later statement saying chants in support of a terrorist organization have no place in New York City, a notable shift after an initially softer response.
  • Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called the action disgusting and antisemitic, joining other officials who condemned the chant and pressed for stronger responses.
  • Pro-Palestinian figures including Mohammed El-Kurd and Hasan Piker criticized the condemnations, while Mamdani reiterated his opposition to land sales in the occupied West Bank.
  • An amNewYork editorial urged treating the chant as a hate crime and called for the NYPD to bolster protections for synagogues and other houses of worship; some counter-protesters shouted “We love ICE.”