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As questions continue to surround New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s radical rhetoric and political associations, scrutiny has now turned to the newest member of his inaugural committee, who publicly praised the tearing down of Israeli hostage posters..
According to a report by the New York Post, Alvaro López was recently appointed to Mamdani’s inaugural committee. Like Mamdani, López is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), and he previously applauded individuals caught on video removing posters of Israelis abducted during Hamas’s October 7 massacre.
In a now-deleted post on X, Lopez responded to footage of two women tearing down the posters by writing, “All I see are heroes.”
The posters were part of an international campaign calling attention to Israelis who kidnapped by Hamas on October 7th. Their removal was widely condemned as an attempt to erase victims of terrorism and dismiss their captivity.
Lopez Attempts to Distance Himself From the Post
When questioned about the comment, Lopez told the New York Post that he did not remember writing it and suggested it may have referred to the people depicted on the posters themselves. He also described the period following October 7th as “really chaotic.”
The explanation drew skepticism. Since the massacre, tearing down hostage posters has become a recurring form of anti-Israel provocation in cities across the West, particularly in neighborhoods with visible Jewish populations.
Further reporting showed that Lopez had authored another now-deleted post shortly after October 7 accusing U.S. Congressman Ritchie Torres (NY-15) of having “the blood of Palestinian children” on his hands. The claim ignored Hamas’s role in launching the attack and brutally massacring more than 1,200 Israelis.
A Broader Pattern of Controversial Associations
Lopez’s appointment has renewed attention on the figures Mamdani has chosen to elevate. The mayor-elect has faced ongoing criticism for his anti-Israel activism and for surrounding himself with individuals linked to antisemitic rhetoric.
That concern intensified in December when Mamdani’s director of appointments, Catherine Almonte Da Costa, resigned after past posts on X resurfaced. Among them were explicit antisemitic statements, including “Money hungry Jews smh” and “Far Rockaway train is the Jew train.”
The episode raised alarms about how such views were able to circulate within Mamdani’s inner circle without apparent scrutiny.
Public Response and Community Concern
Mamdani’s inaugural committee also includes high-profile public figures such as children’s educator Rachel Griffin Accurso — known to millions of young viewers as Ms. Rachel — and actress Cynthia Nixon. Their participation has further amplified public attention on the committee’s makeup and values.
Following the announcement of Accurso’s inclusion, the watchdog group StopAntisemitism issued a pointed statement. The group said it would help Jewish New Yorkers considering relocation connect with realtors in states “where they will be safe.”
The comment reflected growing anxiety among Jewish residents who view the normalization of rhetoric surrounding hostage poster removals as part of a wider climate of hostility.
Take Action
CAM has launched Report It — a secure app to report antisemitic incidents anonymously and in real time. Don’t stay silent — download it today on the Apple Store or Google Play. See it. Report it. Stop it. Together, we can fight this hate.
