The ADL says roughly 20% of Mayor‑elect Zohran Mamdani’s more than 400 transition and administrative appointees have ties to groups it characterizes as anti‑Zionist, identifying more than 80 individuals. The report names links to Students for Justice in Palestine, Jewish Voice for Peace and Within Our Lifetime, and cites alleged connections to Louis Farrakhan. It also documents public statements and campus protest activity the ADL views as hostile to Israel. While Mamdani has condemned antisemitism and some appointees voiced support for New York’s Jewish community, the ADL says the overall makeup of the transition team raises concerns.
ADL Report: About 20% Of Mayor‑Elect Zohran Mamdani’s Appointees Linked To Anti‑Zionist Groups
20% of NYC mayor-elect Mamdani transition appointees have anti-Zionist ties: ADL
The Anti‑Defamation League (ADL) reported that roughly one in five of New York City Mayor‑elect Zohran Mamdani’s more than 400 transition and administrative appointees have ties to organizations the ADL classifies as anti‑Zionist or have a documented history of making public statements critical of Israel.
Key Findings
Scale: The ADL identified more than 80 individuals among Mamdani’s 400+ appointees who either have organizational ties the ADL characterizes as anti‑Zionist or a documented record of anti‑Israel statements.
Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani speaks to members of the media at Flushing Meadows Corona Park in the Queens borough of New York on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025.
Groups Named: Appointees were linked to groups cited by the ADL including Students for Justice in Palestine (a campus pro‑Palestinian network), Jewish Voice for Peace (described by the ADL as an American Jewish anti‑Zionist organization), and Within Our Lifetime, a New York‑based group noted for protests near synagogues.
Notable Allegations: The ADL said at least four appointees have connections to Louis Farrakhan, the Nation of Islam leader long accused of antisemitic rhetoric. One appointee, Jacques Léandre, was reportedly present at a conference where Farrakhan denounced "the Jews and their power." The report also cites other appointees for statements the ADL says appear to support or justify violence against Israel, including a Facebook post the organization attributes to Kazi Fouzia after the Oct. 7 attacks.
A protester waves a Palestinian flag during a protest on college campuses in Washington, D.C., on March 23, 2025.
Examples of Cited Statements: The ADL named individual appointees for comments critical of Zionism, including Fahd Ahmed (reported: "Zionism is racism"), Ruha Benjamin (reported to have signed a statement calling Israel "ideologically founded on Jewish supremacy"), Lisa Ohta (accused of referring to "Zionism’s genocidal ideology"), and Mohammed Karim Chowdhury (accused of sharing a post comparing "Zionists" unfavorably to Nazis). The organization also cited Zakiyah Shaakir‑Ansari for posting an image at an encampment alongside a banner the ADL associates with Hamas.
Campus Protests: ADL researchers said at least 12 appointees publicly supported anti‑Israel campus encampments in spring 2024 and at least five attended protests in person. The report highlights Gianpaolo Baiocchi, who was reportedly arrested at an NYU encampment; ADL researchers pointed to flyers they say called for "Death to Israeli Real Estate" and "Death to America."
Demonstrators raise a "Free Palestine" flag on Oct. 4, 2025.
Context And Responses
Mamdani, who will be sworn in on Jan. 1, has repeatedly condemned antisemitism. The ADL noted that many appointees did not raise concerns and that at least 25 appointees publicly expressed support for New York’s Jewish community, naming figures such as Rabbi Joe Potasnik, Félix Matos Rodríguez, Wayne Ho, John King and Jerry Goldfeder.
Despite those supportive statements, the ADL concluded it remains concerned about the overall composition of Mamdani’s transition 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.
Fox News Digital contacted Mamdani for comment; the ADL’s findings reflect its own review and characterization of the appointees and their statements. The report has sparked debate about vetting, public statements by political appointees, and the balance between free expression and public safety concerns.
Note: This article summarizes the ADL’s report and the examples it cites. It does not independently verify each allegation; readers should consult the ADL report and statements from the individuals and Mayor‑elect Mamdani for additional context.
