Former New York City Comptroller Brad Lander — whose fierce criticism of Israel helped him prevail over Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY) in a Democratic primary for Congress in June — dismissed viral footage of demonstrators berating him as a Zionist at a protest as nothing more than run-ins with “a couple of loud numbskulls.”

Video taken at a demonstration against a right-wing Hindu nationalist gathering at Madison Square Garden shows multiple participants screaming at Lander to leave because of his self-described “progressive Zionist” views, as well as one vividly describing his appearance as “like a wilted ballsack.” In his own clip posted to X on Monday, Lander voiced no regrets over attending the protest and praised the gathering’s organizers, as well as those who defended him both at the event and online.

“I was honored to be invited and glad to participate,” said Lander. “Of course, it’s not great when a couple of fringe a**holes with drums and bullhorns take over a rally and try to bully people.”

The candidate, one of several insurgents New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani endorsed for seats in the House, took the occasion to present himself as a defiant and independent thinker “who stood my ground.” He also used it to repeat his critiques of Israel, on which he has tacked hard to the left since aligning with the democratic socialist leader during last year’s mayoral campaign.

“As someone who objects vehemently to what Israel is doing to Palestinians in Gaza, which I do believe meets the definition of genocide — and in the West Bank and in Lebanon — I get criticized frequently by centrist and right-wing Jews,” he said. “And as someone who nonetheless believes in the vision and the possibility of a Jewish and democratic Israel alongside a free Palestine once decades of occupation and apartheid end, I get criticized frequently by left-wingers.”