An attendee at New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s inauguration on Thursday held up a photo of Hind Rajab, a 6-year-old girl allegedly killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, as the national anthem was sung outside City Hall. The image, associated globally with civilian suffering in the Gaza war, appeared during a ceremony Mamdani used to stress unity and inclusivity as he formally took office amid ongoing controversy over his stance on Israel and Palestine.

Why It Matters

The Gaza war and its political reverberations were central to Mamdani’s campaign, drawing intense scrutiny of his criticism of Israel and his refusal to condemn the slogan “globalize the intifada.” His inauguration was carefully staged to highlight interfaith cooperation and Jewish inclusion in both his upbringing and administration.

The appearance of Rajab’s image at the ceremony underscores how the Israeli-Palestinian conflict continues to shadow Mamdani’s leadership and signals that New York’s debates over Middle East policy and antisemitism will remain a defining feature of his tenure.

What to Know

Mamdani was sworn in at New York City Hall, where hundreds attended the public ceremony and block party marking the start of his administration. According to the Associated Press, the event brought together political allies, community leaders and faith representatives from across the city’s diverse religious landscape, reflecting Mamdani’s effort to present himself as a unifying figure in a deeply polarized time.

Standing behind Imam Khalid Latif, the executive director of the Islamic Center of New York City, were leaders from multiple faith traditions, including Rabbi Ellen Lippmann. Mamdani used his remarks to emphasize New York’s pluralism, saying the city is the only place where a “Muslim kid like me” could grow up “eating bagels and lox every Sunday,” a line meant to underscore his personal and political ties to Jewish New Yorkers.

During the ceremony, an attendee raised a photo of Hind Rajab, whose desperate phone calls for help during the Gaza war drew international attention. Rajab died in January 2024 with six family members in Gaza City as they attempted to flee the fighting. Their vehicle was shelled; her uncle, aunt and three cousins were killed immediately, leaving Rajab and another cousin stranded.

They phoned the Palestine Red Crescent Society, saying they were under fire from an Israeli tank. The cousin was later killed, and Rajab’s body was found around 10 days afterward. Israel initially denied involvement, saying its troops were not in the area, a claim later contradicted by subsequent investigative reporting. Her death became a potent symbol of the war’s toll on children, inspiring multiple films and recurring use of her image in protests and campaigns critical of Israel.

At the inauguration, the display of Rajab’s photo coincided with Mamdani’s efforts to balance support for Palestinian rights with assurances that antisemitism will have no place in his administration. Video from the ceremony and earlier campaign events has shown crowds enthusiastically responding when Mamdani references Palestinians and Gaza, highlighting both his base of support and the sensitivities surrounding his rhetoric.

What People Are Saying

Mamdani has repeatedly tried to draw a distinction between criticism of Israeli government policy and antisemitism. In an appearance on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert last year, he said: “Antisemitism is not simply something that we should talk about — it’s something that we have to tackle… There’s no room for it in this city, in this country.”

Jewish organizations, however, remain wary. In a November 4, 2025 statement, Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, said: “In light of Mayor-Elect Mamdani’s long, disturbing record on issues of deep concern to the Jewish community, we will approach the next four years with resolve. We expect the mayor of the city with the largest Jewish population in the world to stand unequivocally against antisemitism in all its varied forms and support all of its Jewish residents just as he would all other constituents.

“In the months ahead, we will hold the Mamdani Administration to this basic standard, and ADL will be relentless and unyielding in our work to ensure the safety and security of all Jewish New Yorkers. We will neither compromise nor relent in our pursuit of our core purpose, to protect the Jewish people.”

Supporters of Mamdani argue that his election reflects a growing segment of New Yorkers who want stronger advocacy for Palestinian rights and a more critical stance toward Israeli policy, while still insisting on robust protections for Jewish communities at home.

What Happens Next

Mamdani has pledged to be a mayor “for all New Yorkers,” promising that antisemitism will not be tolerated in the city while reiterating that he will advocate for Palestinians and speak out on U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East.

The presence of Rajab’s image at his inauguration suggests that Middle East politics will remain highly visible in New York’s civic life. In the coming months, Mamdani’s policies, appointments and public statements will be closely watched by Jewish, Muslim and other communities to see whether he can maintain the balance he has promised between combating antisemitism, addressing Islamophobia and championing Palestinian rights, all while governing a city at the center of global debates over the Gaza war.