Zohran Mamdani’s Ties to Controversial Intern Spark Antisemitism Accusations

Zohran Mamdani’s Ties to Controversial Intern Spark Antisemitism Accusations

FIRST ON FOX: New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani has come under intense scrutiny after it was revealed that he employed Frances Hamed, a Hunter College graduate caught tearing down posters of Israeli hostages. This incident has ignited fresh concerns about Mamdani’s perceived antisemitism.

Frances Hamed became widely known after being filmed aggressively removing posters depicting Israeli hostages kidnapped by Hamas. This act occurred shortly after the brutal terrorist attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in over 1,200 fatalities and approximately 250 kidnappings.

The attack caused colossal devastation, resulting in extensive injuries to thousands and horrific acts of violence, including sexual assaults. During this assault, terrorists specifically targeted a musical gathering at the Nova music festival, leading to the tragic deaths of at least 378 attendees.

Within just two years, Hamed secured an internship with Mamdani, transitioning from a college graduate into a political role that has placed her directly in the spotlight. According to information from Canary Mission, an organization dedicated to combating antisemitism, Hamed’s actions have contributed to increased tensions surrounding Mamdani’s campaign.

A video published on X on October 31, 2023, captured Hamed, alongside another individual, in the act of dismantling the hostage posters while Israel was still in the midst of identifying victims from the attacks. Upon noticing the camera, Hamed attempted to obscure her face, indicating a level of awareness regarding the implications of her actions.

“Stop harassing us… you are not allowed to put those posters there… you cannot post them,” Hamed shouted at the individual recording the incident. This confrontation exemplifies the divisive atmosphere surrounding the ongoing conflict and its reflection in local politics.

Subsequent to the release of the video, Hamed was unmasked as the individual involved in the incident by major news outlets, including the New York Post and Canary Mission. Adding to the controversy, she was later photographed at a rally organized by Samidoun, a group classified as radical and associated with anti-Israel sentiments. Hamed was seen holding a sizable banner that proclaimed support for “Palestinian Martyrs,” raising further alarm about her affiliations.

The concerns regarding Hamed’s association with Mamdani grow when considering her brief tenure as a constituent services intern from February to May 2022, which she displays on her LinkedIn profile. Notably, she is the second intern of Mamdani’s linked to radical anti-Israel activism, raising additional questions about the candidate’s network.

The first controversial figure was Hadeeqa Malik, who previously interned in communications and outreach for Mamdani. Malik had publicly stated that activism is synonymous with jihad, further illustrating the potential influences shaping Mamdani’s campaign.

“The true believer knows that none of this is in vain, that this is all Jihad,” Malik indicated, reflecting the ideological underpinnings that may influence Mamdani’s policy perspectives.

These revelations regarding Mamdani’s interns amplify existing fears about his stance on Israel. The candidate has openly endorsed the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement, which promotes economic pressure on Israel, and has expressed support for New York City’s permanent divestment from Israeli bonds.

Although Mamdani has recently promised to