Mamdani’s "Pool Stunt" Sparks Fierce Political Clash

A Bitter Feud

Blakeman had previously claimed in an interview that Lander "would have been a concentration camp guard if he could."

Mamdani, who backed Lander in the primary election, fiercely condemned the statement, calling Lander a "proud New York Jew." He stated that comparing him to a "Nazi guard" is "unacceptable, inconceivable, and disgusting," adding that it reflects a Republican effort to "dehumanize anyone who disagrees with them."

Blakeman firmly rejected the criticism, firing back: "This comes from the same person who refused to march in the Israel Day Parade, called AIPAC personnel 'monsters,' and canceled the Puerto Rican Day breakfast. Zohran Mamdani has zero credibility. He is a bigot, an anti-Semite, and anti-American."

Mamdani's fierce defense against an attack on a Jewish public figure has raised considerable eyebrows across the political spectrum. Observers noted the stark irony, given that the pro-Palestinian mayoral candidate has consistently maintained a distinctly anti-Israel stance, repeatedly skipping the Celebrate Israel Parade in New York and utilizing both local and international media appearances to heavily criticize the Jewish state at every opportunity.