On Wednesday, hundreds of pro-Palestinian demonstrators disrupted New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s participation in a vigil on the third anniversary of October 7, 2023, when Israel launched its genocidal war on Gaza. The protesters denounced the mayor, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), for his growing accommodation to Zionism.

The vigil was organized by the liberal Zionist group Israelis for Peace to mark the Hamas-led attack on Israel that was used by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the casus belli to carry out the ongoing campaign of mass murder that has killed close to 74,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians. The DSA mayor chose to attend the Zionist vigil rather than events called by pro-Palestinian groups.

Wednesday’s political debacle for Mamdani is part of growing opposition among those who were attracted to the DSAer and voted for him due to his rhetoric in defense of Palestinians and, more broadly, his posture as an opponent of Trump and the Democratic Party establishment. Since taking office last January amid growing social anger and political radicalization, Mamdani has continually reassured the ruling class and the political establishment that he will protect their core interests.

Mamdani’s rightward shift is accompanied by an intensifying effort on the part of the New York City DSA to suppress dissent, including within its own organization. When the New York City YDSA and four student chapters (Hunter College, Lehman College, the City College of New York, and The New School) posted notices on social media endorsing the planned anti-Mamdani protest on October 7, the parent body responded swiftly.