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New York City’s newly appointed antisemitism czar has come under fire for past comments criticizing support for Israel, raising questions about her suitability for the role amid rising tensions in the city.
Phylisa Wisdom, recently named executive director of the Mayor’s Office to Combat Antisemitism by Mayor Zohran Mamdani, faced scrutiny after the New York Post revealed her 2021 criticism of then-mayoral candidate Andrew Yang. Yang had posted support for Israel during a period of rocket attacks from Hamas, stating that New Yorkers “always stand with our brothers and sisters in Israel who face down terrorism and persevere.”
Wisdom responded at the time, “As an American Jew and a New Yorker, I am floored by this tweet (although never surprised). NYC deserves a mayor who will stand up for Palestinians in the face of state-sanctioned violence.”
Further fueling controversy, social media posts from 2009 surfaced showing Wisdom joking about missing Yom Kippur, the holiest day on the Jewish calendar, writing: “I totally missed Yom Kippur this year. Oh well, I’ll repent next year??? (What kind of Jew flakes on YOM KIPPUR).”
These revelations come at a particularly sensitive time for New York City, which has seen antisemitic incidents nearly triple in recent years despite other crime categories reaching record lows. Jewish community leaders have expressed serious concerns about whether Wisdom can effectively combat antisemitism given her past statements.
Wisdom has described herself as a “liberal Zionist” who supports a two-state solution. Before her current appointment, she served as executive director of the New York Jewish Agenda, an organization that has been critical of Israel’s military actions in Gaza following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks.
In her acceptance statement, Wisdom pledged that her office will “ensure that Jewish safety and belonging remains at the core of this administration’s vision for a more livable city,” adding that she looks forward to “representing the diverse array of Jewish voices to City Hall in this critical moment.”
Critics, however, remain unconvinced. Yuval David, a Fellow at the Middle East Forum, told Fox News Digital, “Zionism is not politics but identity, history, and survival of the Jewish people. Efforts that ignore this reality risk failing the community they are meant to protect.” David added that Wisdom “has challenged orthodox Jewish education in favor of secular Jewish education. Alienating New York’s orthodox Jewish community is not something a person in her position should be doing.”
Rabbi Marc Schneier, founder of the Foundation For Ethical Understanding, highlighted another concern: “The leader of the Office to Combat Antisemitism must understand a basic truth: Israel cannot be bifurcated from Judaism.” He noted Wisdom’s opposition to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism—a framework adopted by 50 nations worldwide and 37 U.S. states—”calls that understanding into question.”
The controversy extends beyond Wisdom to Mayor Mamdani himself, who has been a vocal critic of Israel, particularly regarding the ongoing conflict in Gaza. State Assemblyman Kalman Yeger, a Brooklyn Democrat, sharply questioned the appointment, asking, “Who in their right mind takes a job to supposedly fight antisemitism for a mayor who markets in antisemitism?”
Despite the backlash, Mayor Mamdani has defended his choice, describing Wisdom as a “principled and effective leader in the work to confront antisemitism in New York City and beyond.” He expressed confidence in their future collaboration “to build a city where Jewish New Yorkers are safe, seen, and able to thrive and to build a team that reflects the diversity and strength of our Jewish communities across New York.”
The appointment comes as New York City grapples with heightened tensions following the Israel-Hamas conflict, which has led to numerous protests and counter-demonstrations throughout the city, as well as a documented increase in hate crimes targeting Jewish residents.
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10 Comments
This situation highlights the delicate balance between supporting all communities and upholding principles of equality and non-discrimination. The new czar will need to demonstrate a nuanced understanding of these complex issues.
While freedom of speech is important, public officials must be mindful of how their words may impact marginalized groups. Rebuilding trust will require a thoughtful, inclusive approach.
Criticism of support for Israel doesn’t necessarily equate to antisemitism, but the new czar’s past comments could undermine trust if not addressed thoughtfully. Fostering unity while respecting diverse perspectives will be key.
Joking about missing Yom Kippur is concerning and raises questions about the czar’s judgment and commitment to the Jewish community. Transparency and accountability will be important moving forward.
This situation highlights the challenges of finding the right balance between supporting marginalized communities and upholding principles of equality. The new czar will need to demonstrate a nuanced understanding of these complex issues.
While freedom of speech is important, public officials must be mindful of how their words may impact vulnerable groups. Rebuilding trust will require a thoughtful, inclusive approach.
This seems like a complex and sensitive issue. I hope the new antisemitism czar can balance support for all communities in NYC and address rising tensions with nuance and fairness.
It’s important for public officials to be mindful of their past statements and how they may be perceived, especially in roles focused on sensitive topics like antisemitism.
Addressing antisemitism is crucial, but the new czar’s past comments raise concerns about potential biases. Maintaining impartiality and earning the trust of all New Yorkers will be critical to the success of this role.
The revelations about the czar’s past statements are troubling and could undermine efforts to combat antisemitism. Transparency and a commitment to fairness will be essential moving forward.