Controversial Actions by NYC Mayoral Candidate
In a recent and controversial moment, New York City mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani gained significant attention when Francis Hamed, a graduate of Hunter College, was filmed tearing down a poster of Israeli hostages. This incident comes amid rising allegations of anti-Semitism among some political figures.
The poster vandalism occurred shortly after the shocking attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in over 1,200 deaths and around 250 kidnappings, along with thousands injured. Notably, during an attack at the Nova Music Festival, at least 378 concert-goers lost their lives.
After the attack, Hamed, who later secured an internship with a New York State Senator, became connected with Mamdani’s campaign. The Canary Mission, an organization that combats anti-Semitism, highlighted Hamed’s actions.
Video Surfaces of Poster Vandalism
A video shared on social media shows Hamed, alongside another person, actively tearing down the poster while Israel was still in the process of identifying victims. Upon realizing they were being filmed, Hamed attempted to shield her identity.
“Stop harassment… you’re not allowed to put them [posters] there… you can’t post them,” Hamed shouted at the person recording.
Hamed has since been identified by various sources, including the New York Post, and was also seen at a rally by Samidun, a group characterized as anti-Israel and labeled a “fake charity” by the Foreign Assets Control Bureau for allegedly funding terrorism. At the rally, Hamed was pictured with a large flag stating, “Glory to the Palestinian Martyrs.”
Concerns from Jewish Leaders
Jewish leaders are expressing alarm, suggesting that a Mamdani victory could lead to a significant departure of the Jewish community from New York City.
According to Hamed’s LinkedIn profile, she interned with Mamdani from February to May 2025 and is not the first intern linked to radical anti-Israel sentiments within his campaign.
Another former Mamdani intern had previously recounted that their activism was part of “jihad,” a comment which has raised eyebrows.
Mamdani’s connections to radical activism have sparked worries about his position on Israel. He endorses the BDS movement, which aims to boycott and impose sanctions on Israel. Recently, he has been criticized for not condemning the term “globalization of intifadas” and referred to Israel as an “apartheid state” in the wake of the October 7 attacks.
Relations with Influencers
Additionally, Mamdani has ties to Hasan Piker, a left-wing influencer who made controversial remarks about the September 11 attacks, further complicating his public image. The two held an interview together in April, which has drawn scrutiny.
As of now, Hamed has not responded to requests for comments, nor has Mamdani’s campaign or office addressed inquiries related to the incident.
