In a contentious development that highlights deepening political rifts in New York City, Council Member Shahana Hanif faces mounting opposition from her Jewish constituents as Maya Kornberg, a respected Jewish Democrat, launches a significant primary challenge in Brooklyn's 39th District.
From Progressive Icon to Controversial Figure
Hanif, who made history in 2021 as the first Muslim woman elected to the City Council, has seen her political standing increasingly challenged following a series of controversial statements about Israel and what Jewish leaders describe as a tepid response to rising antisemitism in her district.
The tensions reached a boiling point after Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel, when Hanif attributed "the root cause" of the violence to Israel's "illegal, immoral and unjust occupation of the Palestinian people" – a statement that Jewish community leaders condemned as effectively justifying terrorism.
Behind Closed Doors: The Meeting That Changed Everything
In a revealing private meeting last spring, captured in audio recordings, Jewish leaders confronted Hanif about her statements. The encounter grew increasingly tense as she refused to publicly condemn Hamas or acknowledge Israel's right to exist as a Jewish and democratic state. "I'm not going to just have a conversation with me as the only Muslim person in this room full of just only Jewish leaders. That's not a fair conversation," Hanif stated during the meeting.
A Strategic Shift in Rhetoric
As political pressure mounted, Hanif appeared to modify her approach. She was arrested at a Manhattan cease-fire protest last year organized by the Democratic Socialists of America, but has since notably tempered her public statements about Israel and the Gaza conflict.
In October, she issued a private letter to Jewish constituents expressing regret for previously boosting the phrase "globalize the intifada" on social media – a marked departure from her earlier stance.
The Challenger: A New Voice Emerges
Maya Kornberg, who leads elections research at the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law, presents herself as a pragmatic alternative. Her campaign directly challenges Hanif's more radical positions, particularly on law enforcement and public safety.
"Calls to defund the police are only hurting local communities' safety," Kornberg states on her campaign site, adding that "amidst rising division, we must create more spaces for local dialogue, centering shared humanity and restorative justice instead of megaphones."
Financial and Political Support
The race is attracting significant financial backing. Kornberg has secured donations from influential figures including Len Blavatnik, Leonard Stern and Alice Tisch.
Additionally, the New York Solidarity Network has thrown its support behind Kornberg.
Community Response and Ongoing Tensions
Ramon Maislen, a leading organizer with Brooklyn BridgeBuilders, articulated the community's frustration: "Hanif has consistently failed to take the concerns of the Jewish community seriously, particularly amid rising hate crimes against our community." The organization is actively raising funds to oppose Hanif in the primary.
Jewish Insider contributed to this article.
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