Another Bold Move: Mamdani Appoints Anti-Israel Activist as NYC Chief Counsel

New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has sent a clear message about the future of his administration by choosing Ramzi Kassem, a longtime anti-Israel activist, to serve as his chief counsel. The announcement came just one day before Mamdani was set to take office, placing Kassem in a position of immense influence within City Hall. In this new role, Kassem will act as the primary legal adviser to the mayor, directing the city’s legal strategy and overseeing how the administration defends its policies in court. This move follows Mamdani’s victory as a democratic socialist and confirms his intention to bring activist leaders directly into the heart of municipal government.

Kassem is no stranger to high-profile legal battles and has built a career within progressive and anti-Zionist circles. He recently made headlines as part of the legal team for Mahmoud Khalil, a prominent figure in the pro-Palestinian protest movement at Columbia University who was detained by federal authorities. Beyond campus activism, Kassem led the Creating Law Enforcement Accountability and Responsibility (CLEAR) clinic at the CUNY School of Law. Under his leadership, the organization provided legal support to some of the city’s most radical activist groups, focusing on challenges to immigration enforcement and protest-related arrests. Mamdani publicly praised this work, stating that CLEAR “has been on the front lines of providing legal defense for students detained by ICE and supporting many more at risk.”

Kassem’s resume also includes a stint as a policy adviser on immigration for the Biden administration, giving him federal experience to pair with his local activism. However, it is his vocal criticism of Israel and his deep ties to anti-Zionist organizations that have raised alarms among many New Yorkers. The city is already grappling with record levels of antisemitism following the war initiated by the terrorists of Hamas, and critics worry that Kassem’s appointment will further politicize the city’s legal apparatus. They argue that placing a figure so closely tied to one side of the debate over the Gaza war at the helm of city law could heighten tensions and alienate the Jewish community.

The appointment of Kassem suggests that the Mamdani administration will prioritize a confrontational approach to established institutions and law enforcement practices. By staffing his cabinet with figures from the far-left, the mayor-elect is fulfilling his campaign promise to reshape city governance from the ground up. However, the decision to elevate such a polarizing figure as his top legal mind is already creating friction before his first day in office has even begun. As New York City prepares for a new era of leadership, the focus will remain on whether Kassem can balance his history of activism with the complex legal responsibilities of running one of the world’s largest municipal governments.