Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani is facing widespread backlash following the release of a Hanukkah video featuring actor Mandy Patinkin and his family, with critics accusing the Democratic Socialist of staging the appearance to provide political cover amid longstanding concerns over his rhetoric and record on Israel and antisemitism.

In a post shared to social media, Mamdani wrote, “It was such a joy to celebrate Hanukkah with Mandy, Kathryn, and their son, Gideon.

As Jewish New Yorkers across our city prepare to light candles and mark the seventh night today, I wish you and your families a Hanukkah full of light and love.”

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The video, which surpassed one million views on X as of Sunday, shows Mamdani participating in candle-lighting and Hanukkah traditions with Patinkin’s family in what appeared to be a staged home setting.

The clip quickly sparked criticism online, with numerous commentators and users questioning the authenticity of the moment and highlighting the contrast between the holiday’s meaning and Mamdani’s political positions.

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Patinkin, best known for his role as Inigo Montoya in the Rob Reiner film The Princess Bride, has previously described the first Trump administration as a “cancer that affects the world globally.”

In July, Patinkin blamed Jews for the war in Gaza, comments that critics said echoed Hamas talking points while ignoring the ongoing hostage crisis.

Critics of the video emphasized the historical significance of Hanukkah, which commemorates the rededication of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem after Jewish fighters reclaimed it from foreign occupiers.

The holiday is widely viewed as a celebration of Jewish sovereignty and independence in the land of Israel, centuries before the region was renamed “Palestine” by the Romans.

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“Chanukah marks the re-dedication of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem after winning a war against Syrian Greek occupiers to restore Jewish sovereignty over Israel,” wrote commentator Joel M. Petlin.

“That’s what Zohran Mamdani and the Patinkin family just celebrated together, though they probably don’t realize it.”

Author Avi Benlolo, Chairman and CEO of The Abraham Global Peace Initiative think tank, also criticized the appearance.

“Very disappointed in Mandy for supporting @ZohranKMamdani. The very essence of Chanukah is resistance against people who reject Jewish presence in the Land of Israel,” Benlolo wrote.

“Mandy should know better.”

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Political columnist Moshe Hill similarly wrote, “Chanukah is about Jewish sovereignty over the Jewish homeland, something that both Zohran Mamdani and Mandy Patinkin actively fight against.”

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New York-based writer and political consultant Jason Curtis Anderson argued that the video fit a broader pattern.

“As I have stated multiple times, Zohran is going to spend the next four years elevating the voices of anti-Israel Jewish activists and shaping the narrative that their views are mainstream,” Anderson wrote.

“His path to attack Israel is through Gracie Mansion.”

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Numerous social media users also weighed in, accusing Mamdani of staging the event.

“We’re not fooled, Zohran! You were raised by an actress, and you posed with an actor, and you both delivered a script,” one user wrote.

“This is another shameful staged performance.”

Another user wrote, “@ZohranKMamdani didja know that Hanukkah is the most ancient representation of Zionism?” while another added, “Antizionist Hanukkah is an oxymoron.”

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Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist from Queens, has drawn repeated condemnation for refusing to condemn the chant “globalize the intifada,” a phrase associated with violent uprisings against Israel.

Two intifadas were launched against the Jewish state, including one at the start of the millennium that involved hundreds of terror attacks and thousands of deaths over four years.

Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) has previously labeled Mamdani a “raging antisemite” and a “communist.”

Mamdani has also described Israel’s war against Hamas as a “genocide” and accused the United States of “bankrolling genocide” during interviews with Qatari state television.

He has also faced criticism for comments related to a protest outside a Manhattan synagogue, where antisemitic chants were directed at congregants.

Mamdani suggested the synagogue may have been violating international law, a claim that drew further backlash.

Last month, Mosab Hassan Yousef, the son of Hamas co-founder Sheikh Hassan Yousef, who later broke with the terror group, described Mamdani as a “Trojan horse” for what he called a Red-Green alliance of communists and Islamists.

Yousef warned that Mamdani’s agenda would “burn the castle down” and erase fundamental freedoms in New York City.

Additional scrutiny followed last week when Catherine Almonte Da Costa, a senior appointee in Mamdani’s incoming administration, resigned after resurfaced social media posts showed her mocking Jews and attacking law enforcement.

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