New York City’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is facing scrutiny after staff members formed a “Global Oppression and Public Health Working Group” that accuses Israel of committing genocide.
The group held its first meeting Tuesday at the agency’s Long Island City headquarters and online. During the presentation, a speaker stated the group was developed “in response to the ongoing genocide in Palestine” and aims to examine how global oppression affects health equity and staff well-being. A transcript of the session shows the discussion focused on Israel’s treatment of Palestinians and broader concepts of oppression, without referencing Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack that preceded the war in Gaza.
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The initiative has drawn criticism from elected officials and community leaders, who argued it diverges from the agency’s core public health mission. City Council Speaker Julie Menin emphasized that health officials should focus on “fighting infectious diseases and addressing skyrocketing health care costs” rather than engaging in political debates during work hours. Health Committee Chair Lynn Schulman added that the meeting risked undermining trust and morale within the department, noting it ignores “antisemitism entirely.”
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The Jewish Community Relations Council of New York (JCRC‑NY) condemned the meeting, stating, “Holding a meeting like this during work hours was clear political activity and created an environment where some staff felt unsafe and unwelcome. JCRC‑NY echoes their and other community leaders’ concerns and urges that municipal resources remain focused on pressing public health priorities for all New Yorkers.”
The working group’s mission statement describes it as a cross-divisional effort led by equity liaisons and disease control staff. It seeks to study the impact of global oppression on trauma, violence, and discrimination affecting New York communities, and to support employees who feel negatively affected by such issues.
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Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a longtime critic of Israel who supports the boycott, divestment, and sanctions movement, has previously accused Israel of genocide in Gaza. His administration has faced broader criticism over the ideological views of some appointees. The Anti-Defamation League reported in December that about 20 percent of his appointees had ties to anti-Zionist organizations or movements.
Neither City Hall or the Department of Health have responded to media inquiries seeking comment.
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