NYC Health Department Staffer Faces Scrutiny Over Anti-Israel Social Media Posts

A New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene community coordinator is under fire for allegedly posting antisemitic comments on social media, including a statement wishing Israelis were “wiped off the Earth.” The controversy comes amid existing criticism of the department’s handling of discussions around the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Alleged Anti-Semitic Posts

Achmat Akkad, who has been employed by the NYC Health Department since 2017, allegedly made the inflammatory statements on X (formerly Twitter). Screenshots of the deleted posts were shared by the Jewish watchdog group Canary Mission, sparking outrage and calls for investigation.

According to reports, Akkad wrote in a post from approximately one year ago, “1 Israeli left in this world would be one too many!” He also reportedly stated, “Jews that don’t support apartheid are safe. Zionists aren’t!” National Today and The New York Post reported on the allegations on February 16, 2026.

Akkad reportedly earns around $65,000 annually in his role at the Health Department. The New York Post reported that Akkad confirmed operating the X account but declined to comment further when contacted.

Previous Arrests and Activism

Akkad was arrested at an anti-Israel protest held by Within Our Lifetime (WOL) in 2024, according to the Canary Mission and the New York Times. He was also reportedly arrested in 2015 at a “#NYC2Baltimore” protest while wearing a shirt that said “PALESTINE.”

The Canary Mission notes that Akkad has expressed support for Hamas and spread antisemitism online. As of July 2025, his LinkedIn profile indicated he was a “Mental Health First Aid Trainer” at the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Department Under Scrutiny

The revelations regarding Akkad’s social media posts come after the Health Department faced criticism for a “global oppression” working group that allegedly accused Israel of genocide. National Today reported that this latest incident raises concerns about the city government’s vetting process.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani was not involved in Akkad’s original hiring, as the staffer predates his time in office. Akkad initially joined city government in 2015 with the Human Resources Administration/Department of Social Services under then-Mayor Bill de Blasio.

As of February 17, 2026, Akkad’s X account has been suspended, making independent verification of the posts difficult.