New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic socialist, is already experiencing a lot of dissatisfaction from those who were once ardent supporters of his campaign, but truth be told, many on the radical left were already feeling sold out before he won the mayoral race in November 2025. In July, several months before the election, Mamdani was confronted by a pro-Palestine protester who was furious with his “hypocrisy.”
During an event, a man approached the then-mayoral candidate for claiming to be “Free Palestine” while also saying “Israel has a right to exist.” The footage made waves on social media at the time and has since resurfaced. The man kicked off his angry screed against Mamdani by asking him for his thoughts about politicians who affirm Israel’s existence despite allegations that people like him get attacked for their stance.
“What do you say about politicians who constantly reaffirm Israel’s right to exist, because people like me get attacked for standing up for Palestine, and you are defending Israel’s right to exist!” the activist screams at the start of the clip. “My family is in Palestine right now, constantly under attack, and you’re saying both free Palestine and that Israel has the right to exist,” he added.
According to the Jerusalem Post, the man then called on Mamdani to be less of a typical, hypocritical politician and stand totally behind Palestine. “Don’t be hypocritical. It [Israel] does not have the right to exist. It’s not your land to say that Israel has the right to exist,” the activist finished before storming off. In a debate during the mayoral race, Mamdani did affirm that Israel has a right to exist and have equal rights, but would not refer to it as a Jewish state.
Initially, the identity of the angry activist could not be confirmed, but many users on social media have come to the conclusion that it was Anas Saleh, 25, from Staten Island. Saleh was arrested in June 2024 for storming into a New York subway car with a group of anti-Israel protesters, demanding that “Zionists raise their hands,” warning them this was their opportunity to “get out.”
A quick look through Saleh’s profile on X reveals a number of posts critical of Mamdani over his stance on Israel/Palestine, taking no solace from his refusal to recognize Israel as a Jewish state. A report from Mondoweiss stated that in November 2025, a group of pro-Palestine protesters gathered outside a New York City synagogue in response to an event hosted by Nefesh B’Nefesh, an organization that helps Jewish people relocate to Israel.
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The protest was put together by the Palestinian Assembly for Liberation. New York Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul condemned the event, saying, “What happened last night at the Park East Synagogue was shameful and a blatant attack on the Jewish community.” She then added, “No New Yorker should be intimidated or harassed at their house of worship.”
Dora Pekec, Mamdani’s press secretary, issued a response about the protest saying, “The Mayor-elect has discouraged the language used at last night’s protest and will continue to do so.” She then said, “He believes every New Yorker should be free to enter a house of worship without intimidation, and that these sacred spaces should not be used to promote activities in violation of international law.”
Featured Image: screenshot from embedded video