Overview
- Publishing its audit on Monday, the Anti‑Defamation League said more than one‑fifth of the roughly 400 transition appointees have documented histories of anti‑Zionist or anti‑Israel statements or ties.
- The ADL cited named examples, including a legal affairs adviser who praised Louis Farrakhan, a worker‑justice appointee who wrote that “resistance is justified” hours after Oct. 7, and a youth and education adviser photographed before a banner featuring an inverted red triangle.
- Days earlier, Catherine Almonte Da Costa resigned as the incoming director of appointments after decade‑old antisemitic social‑media posts surfaced, prompting questions about how appointees were screened.
- Mamdani’s team said it is bringing in an independent firm for additional vetting, and the mayor‑elect argued the ADL conflated antisemitism with criticism of Israeli policy while noting the transition committees are volunteer advisory bodies.
- The ADL said it distinguishes legitimate policy criticism from antisemitism, urged clarity on standards for future hires, and indicated it will keep monitoring the transition and its implications for Jewish communal safety.