NY Democrats Just Blocked a Bill to Remember the Oct. 7 Israel Attacks—Here’s Why It Matters

Let me tell you something about October 7, 2023. That’s the day Hamas militants stormed into Israel and murdered over 1,200 people—most of them civilians—in the deadliest attack on Jews since the Holocaust. Whole families wiped out. Kids kidnapped. A music festival turned into a killing field. And now, months later, New York’s Democratic leadership just quietly killed a bill that would’ve officially remembered those victims. Feels wrong, doesn’t it?

What Actually Happened That Day

I’ve read the reports. Watched the survivor interviews. This wasn’t some military operation—it was butchery. Hamas gunmen went house to house in border towns, shooting parents in front of their kids, burning people alive. They took grandmothers hostage. The kind of stuff that keeps you up at night. And here’s the thing: New York has deep ties to Israel. Lots of Jewish families here lost loved ones. So when Florida and Texas passed resolutions condemning Hamas and remembering the victims, you’d think New York—of all places—would do the same. But nope.

The Bill That Disappeared

It was a simple idea, really. Bipartisan group of lawmakers wanted to make October 7 an official day of remembrance in New York. Not just thoughts and prayers—actual educational programs about antisemitism, memorial events, the works. Even had Democratic sponsors like Assemblyman Braunstein saying, “This isn’t politics, it’s basic human decency.” And then poof. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (basically the guy who decides what bills get voted on) let it die without explanation. Classic Albany move.

Why They Killed It

Okay, let’s be real—nobody’s saying this outright, but here’s what I’m hearing from people in the know:

• The progressive wing of the party? They’ve been loudly criticizing Israel’s response in Gaza. Some even calling it genocide (which, come on).
• Election year politics—nervous about alienating young lefty voters who see this as taking sides.
• Heastie’s office put out some vague statement about “addressing all hate” without ever saying “Hamas” or “October 7.” Cowardly? Yeah, kinda.

Meanwhile, Jewish groups are furious. Assemblyman Weprin (a Democrat!) called it a betrayal. Republicans are having a field day. And Twitter? #NYRemembersOct7 is blowing up with stories of victims who had New York connections—like that young woman from Long Island murdered at the music festival.

The Bigger Problem

This isn’t just about one bill. It’s about the Democratic Party tearing itself apart over Israel. Old-school Dems and Jewish voters? Still strongly pro-Israel. The Bernie Sanders crowd? Not so much. And New York—with the biggest Jewish population outside Israel—is ground zero for this fight. Makes you wonder: are they willing to lose moderate voters to please the far-left? Jersey didn’t hesitate to pass their version unanimously. What’s our excuse?

Why This Stings

I’ll tell you a quick story. My friend Rachel’s cousin survived the Nova festival massacre. Hid under bodies for hours. When she came back to Brooklyn, the whole community rallied around her. Now imagine being her, seeing New York’s leaders can’t even agree to officially remember what happened. That’s the thing about remembrance—it’s not just about the past. It’s saying “we see you” to the living. And right now? That message isn’t being sent.

Look, I get that the Israel-Palestine debate is messy. But some things should be simple. Honoring innocent lives lost isn’t taking sides—it’s being human. And if New York of all places can’t do that? Man, that says something. Something really ugly.