In a move that has sparked a wave of controversy, Zohran Mamdani, a candidate for the far-left New York City mayoral race, chose the eve of Hamas’s release of the final Israeli hostages to participate in a fundraising event for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). This organization, notably linked to the October 7 terrorist attacks, seemingly didnât deter Mamdani from running in the NYC Gaza 5K to support its humanitarian efforts.
Adding to the intrigue, UNRWA has acknowledged that several of its staff might have played a role in the Hamas-led assault, as reported in August 2024. Indeed, it was revealed that hostages, some of whom were women, were allegedly kept in facilities operated by the United Nations during their 471 days of captivity.
BREAKING: Hostages were held in UNRWA compounds. Three Israeli women held hostage by Hamas in Gaza for 471 days reported they were held captive part of the time in UN shelters. How we do know it was UNRWA? Because UNRWA told us. They boasted about it: âUNRWA runs all UN sheltersâ https://t.co/w93NdwYXkX
— Hillel Neuer (@HillelNeuer) January 22, 2025
Taking to social media, Mamdani passionately stated: âThis morning I ran the NYC Gaza 5K in Prospect Park for the third time, alongside the Harlem Run Club, to raise money for UNRWA USA, which delivers critical humanitarian aid and services to Palestinians in Gaza.â
This morning I ran the NYC Gaza 5K in Prospect Park for the third time, alongside the Harlem Run Club, to raise money for @unrwausa, which delivers critical humanitarian aid and services to Palestinians in Gaza.
I hope youâll join me in donating. pic.twitter.com/la15Ea1wqL
— Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@ZohranKMamdani) October 13, 2025
Soon after, Mamdani included a link for donations to UNRWA. However, following a scathing report from the State Department in August, which recommended UNRWA’s dissolution due to seemingly irredeemable issues within the organization, one must wonder: is supporting such an entity truly in the spirit of humanitarianism?
The State Department’s report expressed serious concerns over UNRWAâs compromised integrity, claiming its objectives of providing aid to Gazan Palestinians were fundamentally flawed. This assessment prompted calls for the immediate cessation of U.S. funding for UNRWA and a reevaluation of its role by key international donors.
As public scrutiny mounts, critics have pointedly remarked on the irony of fundraising for an organization tied to the very individuals who participated in the October 7 violence.
Youâre raising money for an organization whose members participated in 10/7.
— StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) October 13, 2025
Why are UNRWA employees murdering Jews?pic.twitter.com/YcZmmleZNM
— Yehuda Teitelbaum (@chalavyishmael) October 13, 2025
