At an unrelated press conference Thursday, Mayor Zohran Mamdani explained his statement put out Wednesday marking the anniversary of the Oct. 7 Hamas terror attack in Israel. Mamdani has long been a defender of Palestinian human rights and is a staunch critic of Israel's military actions in Gaza. In his statement, he acknowledged the pain caused by the killings and kidnappings that day. But more than three-quarters of the statement criticized the Israeli government, repeating claims of genocide. The mayor was also asked about the proposed permanent memorial honoring those who were killed in the Oct. 7 attacks, and whether a memorial would also have to be built for those who lost their lives in Gaza. He explained there has to be engagement from the Parks Department for a memorial to be erected. Once that review takes place, however, he says he'd have "better thoughts" on the question. #nyc #mamdani #oct7 #politics