New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani faced criticism following his delayed response to an antisemitic stabbing incident. On Thursday afternoon, officials reported a stabbing attack in New York City, which attracted attention from other state officials.
Mamdani eventually issued a statement after several hours, acknowledging the attacks. “I have been briefed on today’s horrifying stabbings on the Upper West Side, where an Asian man and a Jewish man were attacked. According to witness and victim statements, the perpetrator yelled ‘Allahu Akbar’ during both attacks. I am relieved that both victims are in stable condition,” he wrote.
Mamdani praised the police response. “The NYPD responded immediately and arrested Raul Morales in connection with both assaults — and I am grateful to the officers for their swift response,” he stated. However, his delayed reaction raised concerns among some observers about his stance on issues affecting Jewish communities in the U.S.
In the aftermath of the incident, Councilwoman Inna Vernikov expressed criticism, “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,” she wrote.
According to authorities, a 57-year-old man was reportedly attacked near West 84th Street and Central Park West just after 1:30 p.m. local time. He was found conscious and alert with a stab wound to his back and transported to a nearby hospital in stable condition. Another 50-year-old man was also found nearby with a stab wound to his torso. He was also conscious and alert and taken to a hospital.
City officials labeled the violence as an “antisemitic stabbing,” but police have not confirmed a motive or classified the attacks as a hate crime. The suspect, Raul Morales, is currently in custody.
Responses to the incident included New York Gov. Kathy Hochul expressing outrage. “Disgusted by what appears to be another senseless attack on New Yorkers simply because they’re Jewish,” she posted. “While we await additional details to be confirmed, we know that what is happening in our city is abhorrent. The fear in the Jewish community is real. Every New Yorker deserves to feel safe in their neighborhood, regardless of their faith or identity.”
Julie Menin, speaker of the New York City Council, responded similarly, emphasizing the fear within the Jewish community.
Despite the gravity of the situation, Mamdani maintained silence on the subject for an extended period. Instead, he shared details on his new housing tax plan aimed at reducing the number of residences held by wealthy New Yorkers.
Mamdani shared, “If you have a second home in New York City worth more than $5M, check your mailbox when you’re back in the five boroughs — because you’ve got mail. Today, we sent notification letters to property owners, letting them know that our new pied-à-terre tax is coming soon.” This announcement came nearly two and a half hours after the attack.
New York Police Department statistics indicate an increase in hate crime complaints, with 146 complaints and 71 arrests in the first quarter of 2026, compared to 137 complaints and 51 arrests during the same period in 2025.
Mamdani’s office did not provide immediate comments regarding the delay in his response. Leo Briceno, a politics reporter for Fox News Digital and former World Magazine reporter, covered the unfolding situation.