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#NYC Dems tap Israel foe NYC Emily Mayer to head progressive caucus

“NYC Dems tap Israel foe NYC Emily Mayer to head progressive caucus”

The City Council’s Progressive Caucus has tapped a Jewish anti-Israel activist as its new director, sparking outrage from the public and even within its own ranks, The Post has learned.

The 34-member caucus, which comprises a majority of the 51 council members, announced Emily Mayer as its new director earlier this month, calling her a “talented and dedicated organizer.”

“Her track record working with progressive organizations that seek to transform our politics for the better…is exactly the kind of leadership our Caucus needs,” the group said in a June 1 statement.

“The hiring is a blatant act of anti-Semitism and it tells you what the future of New York is going to look like unless we change the course,” said veteran Democratic strategist Hank Sheinkopf, an ordained Orthodox rabbi.

Sheinkopf called the move “a warning to New Yorkers that they had better reject these folks during the council elections next year.”

Mayer married Waleed Shahid in a dual Jewish-Muslim ceremony.
Mayer married Waleed Shahid in a dual Jewish-Muslim ceremony.
StopAntisemitism

Mayer, 30, is a co-founder of the Washington, DC-based nonprofit group “If Not Now,” which seeks “to end American Jewish communal support for the Israeli occupation of Palestine,” according to its latest tax-exempt filing with the IRS.

Even a member of the progressive group was upset by the choice, telling The Post: “This hire was a mistake and her views do not represent the views of the caucus.”

Former Brooklyn Assemblyman Dov Hikind, founder of Americans Against Antisemitism, said hiring Mayer was “an embarrassment” and “a disgrace.”

The ceremony was officiated by Comptroller Brad Lander.
The ceremony was officiated by Comptroller Brad Lander.
Getty Images for One Fair Wage

“We know who this woman is and if you think it’s OK for her to be in that position, then you are legitimizing hate,” he said.

A Jewish community leader who spoke on condition of anonymity due to fear of reprisals called Mayer’s hiring “really outrageous.”

“It’s not progressive to promote anti-Semitism and in a city as diverse as New York – where the Progressive Caucus claims to represent everyone,” the source said.

Councilwoman Inna Vernikov called the caucus' decision "dangerous and irresponsible."
Councilwoman Inna Vernikov called the caucus’ decision “dangerous and irresponsible.”
Dennis A. Clark

“They’ve sent a very clear message to traditional Jews: you’re not welcome here.”

Councilwoman Inna Vernikov (R-Brooklyn) called the caucus’ decision was “dangerous and irresponsible,” citing “anti-Semitism on the rise, hate crimes out of control and Jews being beaten daily.”

“Democrats should take a hard look at the direction of our city and take a stand to disavow this decision,” she said.

Former Brooklyn Assemblyman Dov Hikind, founder of Americans Against Antisemitism, said hiting Mayer was "a disgrace."
Former Brooklyn Assemblyman Dov Hikind, founder of Americans Against Antisemitism, said hiting Mayer was “a disgrace.”
STEFAN JEREMIAH

The caucus wouldn’t say how much it’s paying Mayer, who replaced Osman Ahmed.

He was paid $70,000 a year in taxpayer funds, according to city records.

In 2017, she wrote that she “learned to distance myself from Judaism early,” saying, “As the grandchild of Holocaust survivors and American communists and the child of a sworn atheist, I grew up with a deeply conflicted relationship with Judaism.”

Hank Sheinkopf, an ordained Orthodox rabbi, said the move was a "blatant act of anti-Semitism."
Hank Sheinkopf, an ordained Orthodox rabbi, said the move was a “blatant act of anti-Semitism.”
CUNY TV

But her May 14 marriage to Waleed Shahid, a spokesman for the progressive Justice Democrats political action committee, was a dual Jewish-Muslim ceremony.

It was officiated by city Comptroller Brad Lander, a founding co-chair of the Progressive Caucus.

Mayer’s boss, Progressive Caucus co-chair Lincoln Restler (D-Brooklyn) said her “job is focused on transforming municipal government, not international affairs. She was the best candidate to do that.”

Mayer pictured with Bernie Sanders.
Mayer is pictured with progressive Bernie Sanders.
Twitter/@emilyfmayer

He added: “Emily is an exceptionally talented organizer and strategist and we are thrilled that she is leading the progressive caucus.”

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