ADL Flags Decade-Old Antisemitic Posts by Appointee of NYC Mayor-Elect Mamdani

The Anti-Defamation League said that a senior hire announced by New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani had published antisemitic remarks on social media more than ten years ago.

On Tuesday, Mamdani selected Catherine Almonte Da Costa to serve as director of appointments in his incoming administration. Da Costa previously held a similar role during Mayor Bill de Blasio’s tenure.

According to the ADL, it uncovered posts from Da Costa’s X account written in 2011 and 2012 that contained antisemitic language.

Among the posts cited by the organization was the statement, “Money hungry Jews smh.” The abbreviation “smh” refers to “shaking my head.”

The ADL said Da Costa also wrote, “Promoted to upstairs office today! Working alongside these rich Jewish peeps,” as well as, “Far Rockaway train is the Jew train.”

Shortly after the ADL made the posts public, the X account was removed.

In response, the ADL said, “We appreciate Da Costa has relationships with members of the Jewish community, but her posts require immediate explanation — not just from Ms. Da Costa, but also from the Mayor-Elect.”

The controversy followed another incident involving Mamdani’s team, after a separate staff member issued an apology last month for past social media posts that portrayed Israel in a demonizing manner.

Mamdani’s transition operation has also drawn scrutiny for including Women’s March leader Tamika Mallory, who has been accused of engaging in antisemitic conduct.

{Matzav.com}