Zohran Mamdani is sworn as mayor of New York City at Old City Hall Station, New York, U.S., Thursday, Jan 1st 2026. Amir Hamja/Pool via REUTERS
(New York, New York) – A veteran New York City Health Department staffer is facing backlash after resurfaced social media posts allegedly show him expressing extreme hostility toward Israelis.
According to a report and screenshots circulated by the watchdog group Canary Mission, Achmat Akkad — a community coordinator with the city’s Health Department since 2017 — wrote on X about a year ago, “1 Israeli left in this world would be one too many!”
In another deleted post from November 10, 2021, Akkad reportedly wrote, “Jews that don’t support apartheid are safe. Zionists aren’t!” The posts were captured in screenshots before his account was suspended. The statements could not be independently verified after the account’s removal.
Akkad, 40, confirmed by phone that he works for the Health Department and operated the X account but declined further comment.
The controversy comes amid broader scrutiny of the department following criticism over an internal “global oppression” working group meeting that accused Israel of genocide. There have been calls from some lawmakers and advocacy groups for city and federal investigations.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the Health Department declined to comment on the resurfaced posts. Officials noted the mayor was not involved in Akkad’s hiring.
City records show Akkad was first hired in 2015 under the Human Resources Administration during the de Blasio administration and now earns approximately $65,000 annually in his current role.
Canary Mission criticized the city over the matter, stating, “If this is who gets elevated into city government, what does that say about the leadership elevating him? New Yorkers should be outraged.”
The situation continues to draw reaction across social media and political circles.
