New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani faced criticism after a delay in his response to a stabbing incident deemed antisemitic by officials. The attack occurred in New York City on Thursday afternoon. Instead of immediately addressing the issue, Mamdani promoted his millionaire housing tax initiative, even as other state officials reacted to the violence.
In a statement, Mamdani later expressed relief that both assault victims were in stable condition. He acknowledged that the perpetrator, Raul Morales, was arrested by the NYPD after allegedly yelling “Allahu Akbar” during the attacks. The mayor thanked the officers for their swift action.
Some observers linked Mamdani’s hesitations in supporting Jewish communities to his critical views on Israel. Councilwoman Inna Vernikov, a New York City Council member, criticized Mamdani for his response, stating, “According to credible reports I received, the attacker was yelling ‘Allahu Akbar’ during his attempted murder. I pray for the speedy recovery of the victims. [Mamdani,] you got blood on your hands.”
The alleged attacks took place near West 84th Street and Central Park West at around 1:30 p.m. One victim was a 57-year-old man found conscious with a stab wound to his back. He was hospitalized in stable condition. Another victim, a 50-year-old man, was found nearby with a stab wound to his torso. The police are investigating the incidents, and though officials termed them as “antisemitic stabbings,” they have not confirmed if the assaults are being classified as hate crimes.
Raul Morales is currently in custody as reported by the NYPD. The incident has sparked concerns, with observers condemning it. Governor Kathy Hochul expressed disgust, saying, “Disgusted by what appears to be another senseless attack on New Yorkers simply because they’re Jewish.” She emphasized that fear in the Jewish community is valid and highlighted that all New Yorkers should feel safe regardless of their identity.
Despite the incident capturing significant attention, Mamdani focused on promoting his housing tax plan. He made a post about a new tax plan targeting second homes worth over $5 million in New York City. This was done about two and a half hours after the attack. Meanwhile, hate crime statistics show an increase in complaints and arrests in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025.