Just two days after Zohran Mamdani reignited his promise to arrest Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, two men were stabbed in New York City’s Upper West Side by a man shouting “Allahu Akbar.”

The Islamist-inspired hate crime occurred at 1:31pm on Thursday, July 23rd, less than two days after Zohran Mamdani issued a video address online. In it, he called Netanyahu a “war criminal” and said that he and his administration were actively reviewing protocols that would allow the city of New York to apprehend the PM during the UN’s General Assembly in September.

“I want to be … clear: Benjamin Netanyahu is not welcome in New York City, nor is any other war criminal at large.” Mamdani did not mention the terrorist-run Islamofascist state of Iran. Nor did New York’s mayor refer to one of his officials who was caught scheduling meetings with Iranian leadership, or the fact that he received campaign funding and support from CAIR, which is connected to Qatari-based terrorist groups. Instead, his primary focus in the address was to malign the leader of America’s strongest ally in the Middle East.

Mamdani claims he knew nothing about his team planning a meeting with Iran’s UN Ambassador during U.S.-Iran tensions.

Conveniently, it was only stopped after Rubio’s State Department stepped in and shut it down.

Who actually believes the “I had no idea” line?😎 pic.twitter.com/LyNp7Lyg7y

— 🇺🇸Lady Vet (@CoVet_81) July 11, 2026

Mamdani echoed his statements regarding Netanyahu during an interview with The New York Times conducted days prior. Many criticized his remarks as Antisemitic rhetoric utilized to deflect from the surging violence against Jewish New Yorkers and massive spikes in rape cases targeting women across the five boroughs since he took office.

Upper West Side Stabbing Suspect Apprehended

Thankfully the two men targeted by 51-year-old Raul Morales, who screamed Allahu Akbar as he plunged a screwdriver into them, are in stable condition. Moshe Yezhak Grunhaus and Chok Sung, a Jewish, and Asian man, were confronted by Morales near 86th Street and Amsterdam. NY Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch issued a statement online that the victims were admitted to Mt. Sinai St. Luke’s hospital and “are expected to survive.”

She added that “no other people are being sought” after Morales was apprehended and that detectives were actively investigating the acts as a hate crime. Despite the fact that Morales screamed “Allahu Akbar” before attacking both victims, Tisch says that law enforcement believes “mental health may have been a factor.” Morales has “no known mental health history with the NYPD,” and had no connection to the two men he attacked, according to Tisch’s statement. She also commended the bravery of a witness who led authorities to Morales’ location. The suspect was found hiding after committing the stabbings before he was caught and placed under arrest.

Furthermore, the attack occurred on a Jewish holiday, known as Tisha B’av. NBC News wrote that NY Attorney General Letitia James stated she was “asked not to draw conclusions about the attack.” In a conference on the stabbings, James highlighted how Antisemitism has been on the rise in NYC. NY1 penned that there was a 182% increase in the number of Anti-Jewish hate crimes between January of 2025 and 2026, citing these statistics. Overall hate crimes saw a surge too: 152% in the same time period.

🚨 TWO STABBINGS NEAR CENTRAL PARK — SUSPECT YELLED “ALLAHU AKBAR”

A Jewish man was stabbed in the torso and an Asian man was stabbed in the back near Central Park.

The suspect, Raul Morales, shouted “Allahu Akbar” during both attacks, according to witnesses and NYPD.

One of… pic.twitter.com/TJnvFaUEHr

— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) July 24, 2026

James said Jews and Asians are being targeted

Moreover, James mentioned that attacks the two demographics have seen a sharp increase in NYC. “Antisemitic acts have been growing in the city of New York. Acts against the Asian community have also been on the increase.”

She continued: “It’s important that I stand with my Jewish friends. That I stand with my Asian friends. Hate will not be tolerated in this city and/or in this state. I will use every tool in my toolbox to protect them every day.”

Mamdani was criticized for his delay in responding to the stabbings, which he condemned as “horrifying.” While his statement mentions the facts of the case, the way it is structured may gave one pause. First, he mentions Sung, then Grunhaus, then the fact that Morales invoked the name of Allah in the stabbings.

When mentioning motives for the attack, he first mentions Morales’ mental state. Following this, he mentions the possibility of it being a hate crime. Finally, he capped off his reply by stating “these hateful and despicable attacks have no place in our city.”

I have been briefed on today’s horrifying stabbings on the Upper West Side, where an Asian man and a Jewish man were attacked. According to witness and victim statements, the perpetrator yelled “Allahu Akbar” during both attacks. I am relieved that both victims are in stable… https://t.co/0LSGtvPojx

— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) July 23, 2026

“You’re the f*cking reason for it.”

Numerous X users replied to Mamdani’s post. They pointed to his pro-terrorist, Antisemitic rhetoric as impetus behind surges in NYC hate crimes. “This is all your fault. Resign. Right now. Your Islamic obsession and hatred of Israel will get innocent people killed,” one wrote.

Another quipped that Mamdani would reward Morales for his behavior. “I’m sure he will be invited to dinner at your house soon.” The post referenced the NY Mayor’s visit of a man who attacked a New York police officer with a knife. Others referenced the duality of hate crimes versus mental health issues as they pertain to ethnicity and race.

Whereas someone else just shared a screenshot of Mamdani from his July 21st, 2026 address against Netanyahu. They wrote: “I have found the terrorist’s handler who just 48 hrs ago was claiming Jews kill babies on purpose. You may want to investigate him.

Ultra News has reached out to the NYC Mayor’s office for further comment via email.