NYC mayoral candidate Mamdani backtracks on Hamas arms position at debate
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Socialist New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani backtracked on his stance on Hamas disarmament during Thursday night’s mayoral debate.
“Of course I believe they should put down their weapons,” Mamdani said on the debate stage in New York City alongside former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa.
Mamdani was responding to a question from a moderator who told Fox News host Martha MacCallum that her previous answer was “confusing” after she dodged questions when he asked her if she believed Hamas should lay down its weapons and give up leadership in Gaza, according to the ceasefire agreement signed between them.
“I have no idea about the future of Hamas and Israel beyond the issue of justice and security,” Mamdani said. saying that both Hamas and Israel Israeli army It must comply with international law.
‘DEFINITELY A COMMUNIST’: MAMDANI ESCAPES THE LABEL BUT HER RECORDS AND EXPERT SAY OTHERWISE
Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani speaks during the mayoral debate on Thursday, October 16, 2025, in New York City. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis, Pool) (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis, Pool)
“I am proud to be one of the first elected officials in the state to call for a ceasefire, and calling for a ceasefire means a ceasefire,” Mamdani said during the debate stage on Thursday. he said.
“This means that all parties must cease fire and lay down their weapons. And the reason we want this is not only to end the genocide, but also to ensure unimpeded access to humanitarian aid. Like many New Yorkers, I am hopeful that this ceasefire will continue.”
Mamdani said he hopes the ceasefire negotiated by President Trump will be “permanent” and “fair.”
MAMDANI BREAKED THE SILENCE ABOUT THE ISRAELI HOSTAGES, WHICH HE RELEASED WITH HIS STATEMENT WITHOUT NOTIFICATION FROM TRUMP.
New York City Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani speaks during an interview on “The Martha MacCallum Story” on Fox News on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025, in New York City. (Photo: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Shortly after Mamdani’s response, social media accounts tagged your comments as a “new answer”.
In an interview with Fox News on Wednesday, Mamdani said it was too early to credit Trump with the peace deal.
Republican Curtis Sliwa, the only candidate to mention Trump’s name in his response to news of the release of Israeli hostages, objected to this stance during the debate stage.
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Former New York Governor and independent candidate for NYC Mayor Andrew Cuomo attends the funeral of slain NYPD officer Didarul Islam at Parkchester Masjid Jame on July 31, 2025 (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
“The President of the United States should have been applauded by you Zohran Mamdani and you Andrew Cuomo,” Sliwa said. he said.
Mamdani has been widely criticized in recent months for his stance on Israel, including his hesitancy to unequivocally condemn “globalizing the intifada”.
“I want to be very clear,” Mamdani said during the debate stage. “Occupation is a reference to international law, and Mr. Cuomo has paid no attention to that since signing up to join Benjamin Netanyahu’s legal defense team during this genocide.”
