NYC Mayor Hosts Accused Hamas Sympathizer at Gracie Mansion

White House, Jewish advocates condemn Mamdani for welcoming Mahmoud Khalil

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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President Trump and Jewish advocates have slammed New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani for hosting anti-Israel activist and accused Hamas sympathizer Mahmoud Khalil at Gracie Mansion for Ramadan. The White House and Jewish groups have criticized Mamdani's decision, calling Khalil an "anti-American, pro-terrorist" figure who has harmed U.S. foreign policy interests.

Why it matters

The controversy highlights the ongoing tensions between the city's progressive leadership and the Jewish community, as well as concerns about the mayor's ties to individuals accused of supporting terrorist activities that are seen as threatening to U.S. interests and Israel.

The details

Mahmoud Khalil, a Syrian-born activist and former Columbia University graduate student, was arrested by ICE last year and faces deportation after the Trump administration accused him of committing fraud on his green card application. Khalil has made controversial comments defending Hamas' actions, including the 2023 attack that killed Israelis. Despite this, he has become a figure of support on the political left, who claim Trump is seeking to deport him for exercising his free speech rights.

  • Khalil was arrested by ICE early last year and faces deportation.
  • The 2023 Hamas attack that Khalil defended occurred on October 7, 2023.

The players

Zohran Mamdani

The mayor of New York City who hosted Mahmoud Khalil at Gracie Mansion.

Mahmoud Khalil

A Syrian-born activist and former Columbia University graduate student who has been accused of being a Hamas sympathizer.

Anna Kelly

A White House spokesperson who condemned Mamdani for hosting Khalil.

Moshe Spern

The president of the United Jewish Teachers, who criticized Mamdani for promoting Khalil on social media.

Dov Hikind

The founder of Americans Against Antisemitism and a former Brooklyn Assemblyman who accused Mamdani of supporting terrorism.

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What they’re saying

“No one should be feting the anti-American, pro-terrorist activities of Mahmoud Khalil, who made his name as a ringleader of violent anti-American and anti-Semitic university protests that harmed American foreign policy interests.”

— Anna Kelly, White House spokesperson

“The mayor of New York City openly promoting someone who went out of his way to harass Jewish students at Columbia on a government social media account is a clear sign of disrespect to the Jewish community.”

— Moshe Spern, President of the United Jewish Teachers

“Mamdani is a true believer … He supports terrorism through his actions and who he invites over for dinner.”

— Dov Hikind, Founder of Americans Against Antisemitism

What’s next

The White House has indicated that it will not support Mahmoud Khalil's case, despite Mayor Mamdani's appeal to President Trump. The controversy is likely to continue as the city's progressive leadership clashes with the White House and Jewish advocates over issues of national security and support for Israel.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the growing divide between New York City's progressive political leadership and the Jewish community, as well as concerns about the mayor's willingness to associate with individuals accused of supporting terrorist activities that are seen as threatening to U.S. interests and Israel.