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Rep. Mike Lawler sharply criticized New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani for opting not to attend the city’s annual Israel Day Parade, arguing that the move reinforces concerns many voters already have about the mayor and breaks with a longstanding tradition observed by City Hall for decades.

Appearing on Newsmax’s “Wake Up America Weekend,” the New York congressman said Mamdani’s decision sends the wrong message in a city that is home to one of the largest Jewish communities in the world.

“The fact is, many New Yorkers and Americans believe he’s an antisemite,” Lawler said on “Wake Up America Weekend.”

“And the fact that for the first time in decades, the mayor of New York City is refusing to attend the Israel Day parade, where New York is home to the largest Jewish population outside of the state of Israel, just speaks volumes to his conduct, his rhetoric, and those he associated himself with.”

Mamdani, who took office earlier this year and became New York City’s first Muslim and South Asian mayor, is set to become the first sitting mayor since 1964 to skip the annual march along Fifth Avenue. Organizers describe the event as the largest public celebration of Israel outside the Jewish state.

Lawler announced that he would participate in the parade himself, presenting his attendance as a show of solidarity with New York’s Jewish community.

“I will be there tomorrow, proudly marching up Fifth Avenue in support of our Jewish Americans here in New York,” he said.

The congressman, whose district includes Rockland and Putnam counties as well as portions of Westchester and Dutchess counties, argued that elected officials have a responsibility to engage with every segment of the population, regardless of political differences.

“I show up in every community because that’s the job, you are elected to represent everybody, regardless of who votes for you or not,” he said, contrasting his own approach with Mamdani’s.

Lawler also pointed to the results of last November’s mayoral election, where Mamdani secured approximately 50.4 percent of the vote in a three-way contest against Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa.

“Mayor Mamdani barely got above 50% of the vote, which is very telling,” Lawler said. “Even in New York, where nearly 50% of New Yorkers rejected his rank, antisemitism and socialism.”

Mamdani, who has publicly identified as pro-Palestinian and has accused Israel’s government of committing genocide in Gaza, defended his decision this week, saying he was following through on a campaign commitment while continuing to support security arrangements for the event.

“I take seriously my responsibility to protect the safety and well-being of every New Yorker and every event, regardless of my attendance,” he said at a briefing alongside NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, who will serve as grand marshal.

Lawler concluded by predicting that Mamdani’s absence from the parade could have lasting political repercussions.

“I think this is a very bad decision on his part,” he said. “And I do think there’s going to be blowback for it.”

{Matzav.com}

A terror ramming attack at the Gush Etzion Junction on Sunday evening left three people injured, including a 17-year-old girl who sustained serious wounds. The attack occurred at the busy intersection between Yerushalayim and Chevron before the suspected terrorist was fatally shot by an IDF soldier.

Emergency responders said the 17-year-old victim suffered severe injuries, while a 15-year-old girl was moderately injured. A third person was treated at the scene for shock.

All three victims were transported to Shaare Tzedek Medical Center in Yerushalayim. Hospital officials reported that the critically injured teenager was taken directly into emergency surgery upon arrival.

The suspected attacker, identified as a resident of the Chevron area, was shot and killed by a soldier from the Nachshon Battalion of the Kfir Brigade.

Moshe Benita, a paramedic with Magen David Adom, and senior MDA medic Chaim Sharabi described the chaotic scene encountered by rescue crews.

“When we arrived at the scene of the attack, we observed significant commotion and a vehicle near a bus stop. Lying next to the vehicle was a 17-year-old girl who was fully conscious and suffering from severe injuries to her lower limbs. We provided initial medical treatment at the scene, including stopping the bleeding, and evacuated her by intensive care ambulance to the hospital in serious condition.

“Additional MDA teams provided medical treatment to another injured girl, 15, who was in mild condition and suffering from facial injuries.”

Security forces launched an investigation into the attack as authorities continued to assess the circumstances surrounding the incident.

{Matzav.com}