From the Liveblog of
Friday, May 15, 2026
NYC’s Mamdani condemns swastika flag, resembling Israel’s, spotted at NYU
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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemns a flag — resembling the Israeli flag, with two swastikas on it flanking a Star of David, with the letters ‘NYU’– that was briefly flown over New York University on Wednesday.
“I am outraged that a swastika flag was raised overlooking Washington Square Park. This hateful antisemitic act was meant to spread fear among and intimidate Jewish New Yorkers. It has no place in our city,” Mamdani writes on X.
“Our administration is committed to fighting antisemitism in all its forms and protecting the safety of Jewish New Yorkers,” says the socialist mayor, who has been reluctant to criticize some violent rhetoric when ostensibly directed at Israel.
Mamdani says the New York Police Department’s Hate Crime Task Force is “investigating this despicable act, and I am confident those responsible will be held accountable.”
The university has said it was “shocked and deeply troubled” by the incident, and campus security removed the flag within some fifteen minutes of its being raised.
Flag with 2 swastikas spotted on Steinhardt roof during Grad Alley https://t.co/FpZDgLrb7i via @nyunews
— Hemingwaypaws (@Hemingwaypaws) May 14, 2026
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