New York Council Race Spurs Anti-Jewish Hate

DIVERSITY WELCOME The New York City Council is the epitome of diversity and tolerance. Jewish council members like Chaim Deutsch (R) hope it stays that way (Photo: Official NYC council photo by William Alatriste)

J ust months before the September primaries for New York City Council at least two campaigns have been called out for their anti-Semitic and anti-Israel rhetoric.

Candidate Thomas Lopez-Pierre a longtime political agitator and anti-Semite running in Upper Manhattan sent a recent e-mail to supporters urging them to donate to his fledgling campaign so he can both target incumbent Mark Levine and expose so-called Jewish control of New York City real estate. “I will use $100 000 in taxpayer’s money to mail voters: Protect Tenants from Greedy Jewish Landlords ” he said in an e-mail which also directed supporters to research Levine’s Jewish donors.

In the 43rd Council District in Brooklyn Democrat candidate Khader El-Yateem a Palestinian-American recently announced his support of the Boycott Divestment and Sanctions movement. El-Yateem running to replace outgoing Councilman Vincent Gentile said in a video posted on his Facebook page last week: “It is an issue of justice. It is a nonviolent resistance against the Israeli occupation of Palestine.” The Bethlehem-born Lutheran minister is supported by controversial Palestinian activist Linda Sarsour a prominent anti-Israel figure and anti-Trump organizer.