Listen to the article
New York Leaders Unite to Condemn Pro-Hamas Chants at Queens Protest
New York political leaders from across the spectrum have issued strong condemnations after demonstrators were recorded chanting “we support Hamas” during a protest in a predominantly Jewish neighborhood in Queens.
Video footage of the incident, which has circulated widely on social media, shows protesters waving Palestinian flags while vocally expressing support for Hamas, an organization designated as a terrorist group by the United States government. The demonstration’s location and messaging prompted swift rebukes from officials at city, state and federal levels.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) did not mince words in her criticism of both the chants and the protest’s location. “Marching into a predominantly Jewish neighborhood and leading with a chant saying ‘we support Hamas’ is a disgusting and antisemitic thing to do,” Ocasio-Cortez wrote on X. “Pretty basic!”
Governor Kathy Hochul similarly condemned the demonstration, sharing video footage of the incident on social media. “Hamas is a terrorist organization that calls for the genocide of Jews,” Hochul wrote. “No matter your political beliefs, this type of rhetoric is disgusting, it’s dangerous, and it has no place in New York.”
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who had previously faced criticism for refusing to explicitly condemn Hamas in a Fox News interview last October, also spoke out against the recent chants while attempting to balance free speech concerns.
“Chants in support of a terrorist organization have no place in our city,” Mamdani stated. “We will continue to ensure New Yorkers’ safety entering and exiting houses of worship as well as the constitutional right to protest.”
State Attorney General Letitia James added her voice to the chorus of condemnation with a brief but unequivocal statement: “Hamas is a terrorist organization. We do not support terrorists. Period.”
The incident highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding public demonstrations related to the Israel-Hamas conflict, which have intensified since Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. That attack killed approximately 1,200 Israelis and led to more than 200 hostages being taken into Gaza. The subsequent Israeli military response has resulted in thousands of Palestinian casualties and a humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The political sensitivity of the conflict has created challenges for American politicians, particularly progressives who have attempted to balance criticism of Israel’s military operations with condemnation of Hamas’ terrorist activities. The bipartisan condemnation of these recent chants, however, underscores that explicit support for Hamas crosses a line for officials across the political spectrum.
Under U.S. federal law, providing material support to designated terrorist organizations like Hamas is prohibited, though expressing views about such groups remains protected under First Amendment free speech provisions. This legal distinction often creates tension between constitutional rights and concerns about encouraging extremism.
The location of the protest – in a predominantly Jewish neighborhood – has drawn particular criticism, with many viewing it as a deliberately provocative choice meant to intimidate Jewish residents. Anti-Jewish hate crimes have increased substantially nationwide since the October 7 attacks, according to law enforcement statistics.
Despite requests for additional comment, representatives for Ocasio-Cortez and Mamdani did not immediately respond to media inquiries seeking elaboration on their statements.
Fact Checker
Verify the accuracy of this article using The Disinformation Commission analysis and real-time sources.
10 Comments
Expressing support for a designated terrorist organization like Hamas during a protest in a predominantly Jewish neighborhood is a concerning escalation. It’s important that authorities investigate this incident thoroughly and hold any instigators accountable.
Absolutely. There’s no room for that kind of hateful rhetoric, regardless of one’s political views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This needs to be condemned in the strongest possible terms.
This is a troubling incident that raises serious concerns about antisemitism and the use of protests to spread harmful rhetoric. It’s critical that political leaders and the broader community come together to condemn such actions and uphold values of tolerance and mutual understanding.
I agree, the chants of support for Hamas are completely unacceptable and have no place in a peaceful protest. Elected officials are right to speak out forcefully against this kind of behavior.
Regardless of one’s stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, using a protest to openly back a terrorist organization is completely unacceptable. This incident highlights the need for greater efforts to combat antisemitism and promote mutual understanding in diverse communities.
Well said. Expressing support for Hamas, which openly calls for the destruction of Israel and the killing of Jews, is a reprehensible act that must be condemned in the strongest possible terms.
As someone with a keen interest in mining, commodities, and energy developments, I’m disappointed to see this kind of political tension and hateful rhetoric overshadowing important discussions around the economy and natural resource sectors. We need to find ways to address these complex issues through civil dialogue, not divisive protests.
I agree completely. Bringing divisive political agendas into a predominantly Jewish neighborhood and chanting support for a terrorist organization is unacceptable and counterproductive. We need to focus on constructive solutions, not inflame tensions further.
As someone who closely follows mining and energy news, I’m troubled to see this kind of political tension spilling over into the public sphere. Promoting violence and extremism, even indirectly, is never the answer and goes against principles of civil discourse.
I share your concerns. Protests should be a platform for constructive dialogue, not a vehicle for divisive and hateful messaging. Local leaders are right to swiftly denounce these actions.