Mamdani team member posted resistance is justified hours after Hamas attack on Israel: ADL

"Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani's transition team is riddled with antisemitic, anti-Zionist or anti-Israel activity from members, including one who said resistance is justified following the Hamas terror attack on Israel in 2023, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) charged in a new report on Monday. Representatives from the ADL, which has been monitoring Mamdani's 400-member transition team since his victory on Nov. 4, said they found many examples of individuals who have engaged in this kind of offensive rhetoric or action outlined in the Dec. 22 report."

"The ADL shared with amNewYork a social media post by Kazi Fouzia, who is on the mayor-elect's worker justice committee, that reads Resistance are [sic] justified when people are occupied, less than a day after the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terror attack on Israel. Screenshot courtesy ADL. According to the report, which is the second ADL update on Mamdani's progression into mayoral office, the post includes video footage from an anti-Israel protest happening in Manhattan a day after the attack."

"Per the report, at least 12 transition appointees expressed support for anti-Israel campus protests that rocked the city in 2024. According to the report, Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari, appointed to the committee on youth and education, participated in a CUNY encampment and posted photos in front of a banner with an inverted red triangle, a symbol popularized by Hamas that glorifies violence, and the words LONG LIVE THE RESISTANCE."

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) identified numerous transition team members with antisemitic, anti-Zionist, or anti-Israel activity. The ADL monitored Mamdani's 400-member transition team since his Nov. 4 victory and documented social media posts and protest participation that raised concern. Examples include Kazi Fouzia, on the worker justice committee, posting "Resistance are [sic] justified when people are occupied" less than a day after the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack, and Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari, on youth and education, participating in a CUNY encampment with an inverted red triangle and the words LONG LIVE THE RESISTANCE. At least 12 appointees expressed support for 2024 anti-Israel campus protests.

Read at www.amny.com