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In a report released Monday, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) found that approximately 20 percent of New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s administrative appointees have connections to groups characterized as anti-Zionist or have made statements critical of Israel.
The ADL investigation identified more than 80 individuals among Mamdani’s over 400 transition and administrative appointees with ties to organizations including Students for Justice in Palestine, Jewish Voice for Peace, and Within Our Lifetime—a New York City-based group known for organizing protests outside synagogues.
The report comes amid heightened tensions in New York City, home to the largest Jewish population outside Israel, as the region continues to grapple with the aftermath of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack and the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
According to the ADL’s findings, at least four appointees have connections to Louis Farrakhan, the controversial leader of the Nation of Islam who has been widely condemned for antisemitic rhetoric. One appointee, Jacques Léandre, reportedly attended a conference where Farrakhan denounced “the Jews and their power.”
Several appointees were cited for statements appearing to justify violence against Israel or the October 7 attacks. Kazi Fouzia allegedly posted on Facebook hours after the attacks that “Resistance are [sic] Justified when people are occupied,” accompanied by video footage from an anti-Israel protest in Manhattan that day.
The report also documented multiple appointees who have expressed hostility toward Zionism. Fahd Ahmed allegedly stated “Zionism is racism,” while Ruha Benjamin reportedly signed a statement claiming Israel was “ideologically founded on Jewish supremacy.” Lisa Ohta was accused of referring to “Zionism’s genocidal ideology,” and Mohammed Karim Chowdhury allegedly shared a post claiming “Zionists are worse than… Nazis.”
Another appointee, Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari, was cited for allegedly posting a photo of herself at a protest encampment in front of a banner displaying an inverted red triangle—a symbol associated with Hamas—alongside the text “LONG LIVE THE RESISTANCE.”
The ADL also identified at least 12 appointees who publicly expressed support for anti-Israel campus encampments during the spring of 2024, with at least five attending the protests in person. Among them was Gianpaolo Baiocchi, who was reportedly arrested at an NYU encampment and later claimed no hate speech was present—a claim the ADL disputes, citing flyers distributed at the encampment calling for “Death to Israeli Real Estate” and “Death to America.”
Mamdani, who will take office on January 1, has repeatedly emphasized his opposition to antisemitism during his campaign. His victory in November marked a significant political shift for New York City, as he ran on a progressive platform that included strong criticism of Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
The ADL acknowledged that many appointees did not raise concerns, noting that at least 25 individuals have expressed support for the Jewish community. These include prominent figures such as Rabbi Joe Potasnik, Félix Matos Rodríguez, Wayne Ho, John King, and Jerry Goldfeder.
Despite these inclusions, the ADL expressed ongoing concern about the overall composition of Mamdani’s team. “Many of Mayor-elect Mamdani’s Transition Committee appointments are inconsistent with his campaign commitments to prioritize the safety of New York’s Jewish community,” the organization wrote in its report.
The controversy underscores the challenges facing Mamdani as he prepares to lead a city with complex political dynamics, especially regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which has deeply divided many New Yorkers. Political analysts suggest his administration’s approach to these issues will be closely scrutinized, particularly in how it balances the concerns of various community stakeholders.
The Mayor-elect’s office has not yet responded to requests for comment on the ADL’s findings. How Mamdani addresses these concerns may set the tone for his relationship with New York’s Jewish community during his administration.
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11 Comments
Interesting report from the ADL, though their findings should be scrutinized. Anti-Zionism and antisemitism are not necessarily synonymous. More clarity is needed on the specific views and actions of the appointees.
Valid point. Anti-Zionism can be a legitimate political position, even if some use it as a cover for antisemitism. Evaluating each case individually is important.
The ADL’s findings warrant close examination, but we must be vigilant against overstating connections between anti-Zionism and antisemitism. The mayor-elect should address these concerns transparently and work to build trust across all communities.
This is a complex issue where reasonable people may disagree. It’s important to distinguish criticism of Israeli policies from hatred toward Jewish people. Hopefully the mayor-elect can address these concerns transparently.
The ADL’s findings are concerning, but we should avoid rushing to judgment. Anti-Zionism and antisemitism are not synonymous, and the mayor-elect should have the opportunity to address these issues directly with his constituents.
This is a complex and sensitive political issue. I’d encourage looking at multiple perspectives and authoritative sources to form an objective understanding. Accusations of antisemitism should be handled carefully and with due diligence.
Agreed, this situation requires nuanced analysis. Knee-jerk reactions often miss important context and nuance.
Tensions around Israel/Palestine are always high. While the ADL report raises valid concerns, we should be careful about overgeneralizing. More information is needed to assess the nuances of each appointee’s views and associations.
Accusations of antisemitism are serious and should be handled with great care. The mayor-elect should engage openly with the Jewish community to understand their concerns and find a path forward that respects diverse political views.
This is a sensitive and polarizing issue. While the ADL report raises valid concerns, we should avoid knee-jerk reactions and instead seek to understand the nuances of each appointee’s views and associations. Constructive dialogue is key.
This is a complex geopolitical issue with deep historical roots. While the ADL’s report raises valid points, we should be cautious about conflating anti-Zionism with antisemitism. Nuance and objectivity are crucial here.