Israeli Consul General Accuses NYC Mayor Adams of Antisemitism

Israel’s Consul General in New York, Ophir Akunis, has launched a sharp attack on New York City Mayor Eric Adams, labelling him an antisemitic Jew-hater during an interview with CBS. The diplomatic rebuke marks an escalation in tensions between the Israeli official and the city’s leadership over Middle East policy and statements regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

In his CBS appearance, Akunis claimed that Adams’s supporters prioritise the interests of terrorist organisations and Iranian authorities over those of the United States. The Consul General suggested that Adams’s public persona masks deeper hostility towards Jewish interests, stating that his “false smile will not hide” his alleged antisemitism.

A significant point of contention appears to be the handling of October 7th, 2023, when Hamas launched a major attack on Israel resulting in significant casualties. Akunis criticised what he characterised as silence from Adams’s supporters on this event, suggesting a selective approach to statements about Middle Eastern conflicts.

The confrontation reflects broader tensions within American politics regarding support for Israel and criticism of its policies towards Palestinians. Adams, as leader of the United States’ most populous city with substantial Jewish and Muslim communities, has navigated a delicate diplomatic terrain on these issues, making him a focal point for debates over antisemitism and Middle East policy in American politics.

Source: Walla News — Original article in Hebrew.