Add The New York Post on Google Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani blasted his successor Zohran Mamdani for planning to skip the upcoming Israel Day parade — calling the snub evidence of his “hatred” toward Jewish people.
Mamdani, who has been outspoken in criticisms of Israel, is believed to be the first mayor in city history to skip the parade, which has been held since 1964.
“Mamdani’s decision to snub the Israeli Day Parade demonstrates his deep disdain and hatred of the Jewish community,” Giuliani, a Republican, told The Post Wednesday.
“When you combine this with his failure to attend the investiture of the new Catholic Archbishop [Ronald Hicks], a pattern emerges, revealing a man on a mission to tear down the foundations of Western civilization.”
This year’s parade is set for May 30 and will set off along Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue.
Giuliani, who served as mayor from 1994 through 2001, said he hoped New Yorkers were experiencing buyer’s remorse about Mamdani.
“Have New Yorkers awakened to the fact that they made a disastrous decision in November 2025 by electing this man?” Giuliani said.
Mamdani’s office referred The Post to prior comments the mayor made last October confirming he would not march in the parade.
“I look forward to joining — and hosting — many community events celebrating Jewish life in New York and the rich Jewish history and culture of our city,” Mamdani told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency last October.
“While I will not be attending the Israel Day Parade, my lack of attendance should not be mistaken for a refusal to provide security or the necessary permits for its safety. I’ve been very clear: I believe in equal rights for all people — everywhere. That principle guides me consistently.”
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GOP gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman, who is Jewish, also piled on Mamdani and claimed he “dropped the mask and shown his true colors of antisemitism”
“While Jewish New Yorkers are being terrorized in the streets and attacked by radicals waving the inverted red triangle—the same symbol Hamas uses to mark targets for execution—the sitting mayor has chosen to side with them,” said Blakeman, who is currently serving as Nassau County executive.
“For half a century, this parade has been a symbol of unity,” Blakeman went on. “Mamdani is shattering that tradition to signal support for those who want Israel off the map and Jews out of New York.
Mamdani supports the boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign against Israel and doesn’t recognize the country as the Jewish state. He has also associated with people whom critics claim are antisemitic.
Last week, Mamdani honored “Nakba Day” — marking what Palestinians call the “catastrophe” of the Jewish state’s declaration of independence on May 14, 1948.
Pro-Israel advocates say Mamdani’s statement distorted history.
Many pro-Israel Jewish leaders skipped the mayor’s pre-Shavuot/Jewish Heritage Month event at Gracie Mansion on Monday due to his history of bashing of Israel and not recognizing it as a Jewish state.
