Concerns Rise Over Anti-Zionist Connections in NYC Mayor-Elect’s Administration
A recent report by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has raised significant concerns about the composition of New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s incoming administration. According to the ADL’s findings, approximately 20 percent of Mamdani’s administrative appointees have connections to groups characterized as anti-Zionist or have personally made statements critical of Israel. The report identifies more than 80 individuals among Mamdani’s 400-plus transition and administrative appointees who either maintain ties to such organizations or have a documented history of making anti-Israel statements. This revelation has sparked debates about Mamdani’s previous campaign promises to prioritize the safety of New York’s Jewish community and raises questions about how his administration might approach issues related to Israel and antisemitism once he takes office on January 1.
The ADL’s report details specific organizations that some appointees are connected to, including Students for Justice in Palestine, Jewish Voice for Peace, and Within Our Lifetime – groups known for their criticism of Israel and Zionism. Perhaps most concerning to critics are the links between at least four appointees and Louis Farrakhan, the Nation of Islam leader who has a well-documented history of antisemitic rhetoric. One appointee, Jacques Léandre, reportedly attended a conference where Farrakhan denounced “the Jews and their power.” Additionally, several appointees were cited for statements that appear to justify violence against Israel or the October 7 Hamas attacks. For instance, 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 same day. These connections have raised alarms among Jewish advocacy groups concerned about the potential implications for New York City’s substantial Jewish population.
The report further identifies numerous appointees who have publicly expressed hostility toward Zionism, the movement supporting the establishment and protection of a Jewish state in Israel. Examples include Fahd Ahmed, who allegedly stated “Zionism is racism”; Ruha Benjamin, who reportedly signed a statement saying Israel was “ideologically founded on Jewish supremacy”; Lisa Ohta, who was accused of referring to “Zionism’s genocidal ideology”; and Mohammed Karim Chowdhury, who shared a post allegedly 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.” These statements and associations have intensified concerns about whether Mamdani’s administration will maintain the necessary neutrality and sensitivity when dealing with issues affecting the Jewish community.
The ADL also noted that at least 12 appointees publicly expressed support for anti-Israel campus encampments that emerged during the spring of 2024, with at least five reportedly attending these protests in person. One appointee, Gianpaolo Baiocchi, was allegedly arrested at an NYU encampment and later claimed that no hate speech was present at the protest. However, the ADL disputes this assertion, citing flyers distributed at the encampment that called for “Death to Israeli Real Estate” and “Death to America.” These campus protests became flashpoints for debates about antisemitism, free speech, and pro-Palestinian advocacy following the October 7 attacks and subsequent Israeli military operations in Gaza. The participation of Mamdani’s appointees in these contentious events has further fueled speculation about the political leanings of his incoming administration and how they might influence New York City’s stance on these divisive issues.
Despite these concerning findings, the ADL acknowledges that many of Mamdani’s appointees did not raise any red flags, and at least 25 individuals have expressed strong support for the Jewish community. Notable figures in this category include Rabbi Joe Potasnik, Félix Matos Rodríguez, Wayne Ho, John King, and Jerry Goldfeder. This diversity of views within Mamdani’s transition team suggests a more complex picture than initial headlines might indicate. Mamdani himself has repeatedly emphasized his opposition to antisemitism, though critics question whether his administrative appointments align with these stated values. The tension between Mamdani’s public commitments and the backgrounds of some of his appointees reflects broader societal divisions over how to address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict while combating antisemitism and Islamophobia in America’s most diverse city.
As Mamdani prepares to take office in January 2025, the ADL’s report presents both a challenge and an opportunity for the incoming mayor to clarify his administration’s approach to issues affecting New York’s Jewish community. The organization expressed its overall concern about Mamdani’s team, stating: “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.” This critique calls for a response from Mamdani that addresses these specific concerns while outlining concrete policies to ensure that all New Yorkers, regardless of faith or ethnicity, feel safe and represented by city leadership. How Mamdani navigates this controversy in the coming weeks will likely set the tone for his relationship with the Jewish community throughout his tenure as mayor of America’s largest city.
