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Catherine Almonte Da Costa, a recent appointee in New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani's administration, resigned after past antisemitic social media posts resurfaced. The posts, made in 2011 and 2012, included derogatory remarks about Jewish people, such as "money hungry Jews" and calling a train line the "Jew train." The Anti-Defamation League highlighted these posts, calling them "vile" and "indefensible."
Da Costa, who was appointed as the director of appointments, stepped down just one day after her selection. She expressed "deep regret" for her past statements, stating that they do not reflect who she is today. "As the mother of Jewish children, I feel a profound sense of sadness and remorse at the harm these words have caused," Da Costa said in a statement, according to Fox News.
Mamdani accepted Da Costa's resignation, acknowledging her remorse. The ADL, which brought the posts to light, had urged Mamdani to address the issue promptly. The resignation comes amid scrutiny of Mamdani's other appointments, with some Jewish leaders questioning his commitment to combating antisemitism.
Mamdani, who will assume office in January, has faced pressure to demonstrate that his criticisms of Israel do not equate to antisemitism. During his campaign, he was criticized for not condemning certain phrases perceived as antisemitic. The ADL has announced plans to monitor Mamdani's policies and appointments closely, as reported by U.S. News.
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