Bloomberg Uses Rocket Scare to Further Shame Hamas

Photo Courtesy AP/Ariel Schalit

Mayor Bloomberg's brush with a Hamas rocket yesterday made headlines in today's papers—some of which may have exaggerated just how much danger the mayor was in (the Post's headline reads that a "rocket rocks his 'boom!' town visit.") Bloomberg himself told the press, “Let’s not overstate the risks to me" and emphasized, "I feel safe here."

However, with the added attention to the mayor being rushed into a bomb shelter, he took the opportunity to make more comparisons between the situation in the Middle East and the threat of terrorism here in New York. He told CNN, "In New York City, we were attacked by Al-Qaeda twice...If we don't stand up against terrorists, we're going to be victims ourselves." Bloomberg also compared the Hamas attacks to "an emotionally disturbed person banging on your door."

Bloomberg didn't sound especially sympathetic to the civilian casualties in Gaza when asked about them. He said, "If Hamas would focus on building a country rather than destroying another one, those people wouldn't get injured, wouldn't get killed." But the mayor refused to be the one dictating answers for the situation, saying, "Look, I don't work for the State Department, or for the military, for America or for Israel. And it's up to them to find a peaceful solution."

Democratic political consultant Evan Stavisky tells PolitickerNY that Bloomberg's trip is "obviously smart politics—particularly when you bring the Congress' 'Maven of the Middle East' (local Rep. Gary Ackerman) and the police commissioner. It's one of those times when the right thing to do is also the right political thing to do."

Bloomberg's testy mood when dealing with reporters' questions about the situation apparently couldn't even be saved by the Sesame Street gang. As the mayor stopped into an Israeli hospital to drop off toys, the Times describes one received by "a Palestinian toddler who looked at him blankly as the mayor tucked Big Bird next to his small hands."

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Billy Parker in News on January 5, 2009 4:00 PM

Comments [rss]

Brooklynbobby

Is it just my perception, or does Bloomberg look exactly like a turtle?

whitecastlerock

Hey Mayor Mike go visit the 87 year old Queens woman who was beaten and robbed in her home this week. Why not do something about the increase in crime you are in denial about? You would rather question the decisions of jury pools here in NYC and fly off to Israel. Do me a favor and stay there...

FelixtheCat & Christine Quinn'

Yes SHAME ON HAMAS for missing him. Bomb Bloomberg, Mayor of Israel and King of NYC. he wants to fight for Israel since it is democratic (so he says) and yet he kill democracy in New York City. He overturn our votes to extend his and Quinn dictatorship. Also thanks NYPD commissioner, thanks for leaving the city when NYC can be vulnerable to attack.

drewo

Mr. Mayor would not be happy living in a giant prison camp.

Qraymond

Glad to see the Mayoral race is now in full swing. I have this vague memory of him being term-limited... oh wait.

ed_Extinct

Further Shame Hamas???

are you effing kidding me? People Hamas is a known terrorist organization. They're funded by the enemies we're trying to eradicate.

If Al Qaeda won an election somewhere in the Mid East, you're telling me you'd all be ok with that?

debra88

jpeditor, you're off-base. Your "thousands of rockets" that Hamas has fired killed a total of 12 people since, um 2004? Meanwhile, Israel not only destroyed the infrastructure and killed thousands in Lebannon since then, they also killed oh say 500 civilians and wounded 2,000 in the past week alone in GAZA.

Bloomberg has no business being in Israel, period. High-profile American Jews need to stop being misty-eyed about the old 'motherland' and remember they're Americans first. Otherwise, maybe Bloomberg should move to Israel and fund the war with his own money. American Taxpayer dollars have been wasted in Israel for far too long, and I think a couple million citizens in say, Katrina-devastated New Orleans would agree with that sentiment. Israel is shooting itself in the foot by invading Gaza, and the rest of the international community is condemning this move. Feel free to reach outside US Media for an education on the Middle East. I can assure you it isn't a pretty picture, and the Israel-US foreign policy alignment is proving to be a serious liability for our own security (and wallet) as it is. Palestine has a slew of problems with lack of infrastructure/organization, but thanks to the Israeli Border-closings, are we to believe Gaza is the only wrong party here?

verbal

Bloomberg is the only person less shameless than Hamas, leaving out the Clintons of course. He should do us all a favor and strap on a suicide vest and walk into the gaza 7-11...

ANGRYGOD11

I like this photo: Putin On the Hudson.

jpeditor

"I love that my mayor thinks the life of a Palestinian civilian is worth less than the life of an Israeli civilian"

No, our mayor thinks that pali civilians are stupid to let Hamas terrorists hide behind them and launch thousands of rockets into Israel, and he supports the IDF which stands IN FRONT OF Israeli civilians.

Here's an idea - lets have the IDF act like Hamas - no more dropping of leaflets or phone calls into gaza to warn of attacks on Hamasholes hiding behind women & children, take off the GPS /smart devices off the IDF bombs and just lob them indiscriminately into civilian areas of Gaza - lets see how the Gazans like having only 15 seconds to run for cover instead of the hours, days and MONTHS of warning Israel gave them to stop the THOUSANDS OF Hamas rocket attacks since Israel spent a BILLION DOLLARS TO EXPEL TEN THOUSAND JEWS FROM GAZA...

I hate nanny-state Bloomberg but his visit was smart.

nicemarmot

Probably just a pre-running-for-governor game he's playing. Asshole.

JacqueMehoff

how can Kelly protect me when he's in Israel with the mayor?

didn't the mayor mention kelly will protect me during a rocket attack?

TheKlaus

I love that my mayor thinks the life of a Palestinian civilian is worth less than the life of an Israeli civilian. Yeah, that kind of attitude will REALLY help broker peace in the middle east. I don't care what side of the argument you're on; the second you imply that the life of one person is less important than the life of another, you invalidate yourself and your argument.

Sleepy

@chickblao - rhetoric isn't like the Wizard of Oz. Saying something three times and clicking your heels together doesn't make it accurate or valid.

And just so I'm understanding your argument - New York supports Israel, therefore Al Queda attacks NY? First off, if that's true, then Bloomberg does have business there because we support Israel, as you said. Second, if someone attacks you because of your beliefs or your stance on an issue, the proper response is to vacate that position? I humbly suggest that the opposite is true. Violent opposition to one's beliefs should be met with strengthened resolve to hold true to those beliefs in the face of violence. This country was born out of our founders' faith in their beliefs, even when confronted with violent opposition.

fugothamist

he just lost my vote

assh*le

whitecastlerock

If only Bloomberg would visit his own constituency in the outer boroughs... Nah that would be too much to ask. Fuck him...

Bottomless Chips

Shame Hamas? Why should they be ashamed?

chickblao

that moron, bloomberg. no business being there, and not enough knowledge of the deep roots of the situation. what a sick moron, king bloomberg. absolutely NO BUSINESS BEING THERE. want to know why al qaeda attacks NY? Cause we support Israel! Yay, now you made us MORE vulnerable. Whatever side you are on, bloomberg has NO BUSINESS being there.

Rocknrope

But do you think he had any business being there?

The Edge

How the fuck did he make us "more" vulnerable?

Even if we didn't support Israel, radical muslims would STILL hate us.

a rational person

"Even if we didn't support Israel, radical muslims would STILL hate us."

Yes, but less people will be driven to radical Islam, because the Israeli govt will have less power to oppress the Palestinians. Less deprivation, less death, more hope leads to not having to join radical groups in an attempt (however futile) to improve things for your people.