Congressman Mike Lawler has criticized New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani for not stating in a recent live interview whether Hamas should lay down its weapons. Lawler’s remarks come after Mamdani reportedly raised funds for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which has faced scrutiny over alleged links to Hamas, including reports that some agency employees were involved in the October 7 attacks.
During the interview, Mamdani declined to say that Hamas should disarm and did not address questions regarding the future of the group.
“Hamas is a U.S.-designated terrorist organization responsible for the murder, rape, and kidnapping of thousands of innocent civilians. Any candidate for mayor who can’t simply say ‘Hamas must disarm and release every hostage’ has no business leading an election district, let alone New York City. And raising money for UNRWA, an agency that employed Hamas operatives, only adds insult to injury,” stated Congressman Lawler.
“Mamdani’s answer is moral cowardice, and it tells every Jewish New Yorker their safety is negotiable. New York City needs a mayor who will confront terrorism, not coddle it. Kathy Hochul, Hakeem Jeffries, and Chuck Schumer must immediately condemn his statements and disavow his candidacy,” concluded Congressman Lawler.
Congressman Lawler represents New York’s 17th Congressional District, which covers areas north of New York City, including Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. He has been recognized as one of the most bipartisan members of Congress and was rated as the most effective freshman lawmaker in the 118th Congress.
