Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) is hammering New York City’s Democrat mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, accusing him of siding with Hamas terrorists in the wake of the October 7, 2023, massacre in Israel.
“I call Zohran Mamdani a jihadist because he is,” Stefanik said in a statement.
“Zohran Mamdani is a raging anti-Semite.
“Mamdani is the definition of a jihadist as he supports Hamas terrorists which he did as recently as yesterday when he refused to call for Hamas terrorists to put down their arms — the same Hamas terrorist group that slaughtered civilians including New Yorkers on October 7, 2023.”
You asked us for a comment at 5:28 pm for a lengthy story you published at 5:43 pm. Epitome of @nytimes hackdom.
Here is my statement in full 👇
“I call Zohran Mamdani a jihadist because he is. Zohran Mamdani is a raging antisemite. Mamdani is the… https://t.co/bFWORDsMeF
— Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) October 16, 2025
Mamdani, a self-described “Democratic Socialist” who currently serves as a New York State assemblymember, has faced mounting backlash over his repeated refusal to directly condemn Hamas.
He failed to condemn the terrorist group yet again when pressed on Fox News earlier this week.
Mamdani Dodges on Hamas During Interview
In an interview with Martha MacCallum, Mamdani was asked if he believed Hamas should lay down arms and step aside from leadership in Gaza.
Instead of offering a clear answer, Mamdani pivoted to general talking points.
“I don’t really have opinions about the future of Hamas and Israel beyond the question of justice and safety, and the fact that anything has to abide by international law,” Mamdani said.
MacCallum pressed him again:
“But you won’t say that Hamas should lay down their arms and give up leadership in Gaza?”
Mamdani declined to give a direct response, instead repeating calls for “peace between Israel and Palestine.”
Democrats Split on Hamas Comments
The remarks sparked swift criticism from both Republicans and Democrats.
Rep. Laura Gillen (D-NY) blasted Mamdani, dubbing him “Pro-Hamas Zohran.”
Gillen warns that Mamdani is “unfit to hold any office in the United States.”
During a mayoral debate on Thursday, Mamdani attempted to walk back his earlier comments.
“Of course, I believe that they should lay down their arms,” he said when pressed again on Hamas.
A Deepening Political Divide
Mamdani, who has built his political identity as a radical progressive aligned with Democratic Socialists of America, has repeatedly positioned himself against mainstream Democrats on foreign policy.
His stance on Hamas, however, has drawn condemnation far beyond party lines.
Stefanik, who has made combating anti-Semitism a central plank of her platform, has not wavered.
“New Yorkers deserve leaders who will stand unequivocally against terrorism,” she said, warning that Mamdani’s candidacy represents a dangerous normalization of pro-Hamas rhetoric in American politics.
READ MORE – Stefanik Closes Gap in New York Gubernatorial Race as Gov Hochul’s Record Emerges
Our comment section is restricted to members of the Slay News community only.
To join, create a free account HERE.
If you are already a member, log in HERE.