MID-ATLANTIC EDITION

Headlines

Nationwide Protests Mark Oct 7 Anniversary With Terrorist Praise, Antisemitic Symbols
NYC Mayor Mamdani Accused of Promoting Anti-Jewish Aggression Through Rhetoric
Rutgers Law Student's Lawsuit Alleges Rights Violations Over Fliers

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Transcript

You're listening to Antisemitism Watch: Mid-Atlantic edition, I'm Rachel Adler.

Across the country, approximately 300 demonstrations marked the third anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attack. According to the ADL, many of these events featured praise for terrorists, pro-terror rhetoric, and calls for targeting Zionists. Protesters displayed terror paraphernalia, including Hamas and Hezbollah flags, and signs with antisemitic symbols and slurs, such as 'Zionazi' language and claims that the U.S. government is controlled by Israel. Student and youth groups were significant drivers of this activity, with events on over 140 U.S. colleges and K-12 schools. At a protest in New York City, organizers openly heckled participants at a memorial vigil, with protesters chanting 'we support Hamas here' and 'we support Hezbollah here.'

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has faced accusations of encouraging aggression against Jews. According to the Algemeiner, Mamdani recently claimed in an interview that Israel's war in Gaza was a 'horrific genocide' and suggested he would want the U.S. to join the International Criminal Court to arrest Prime Minister Netanyahu. Critics have also noted that his administration's plan to fight antisemitism reportedly lacks a working definition. The Algemeiner also highlighted a social media post by Mamdani about visiting a mosque, pointing out its use of an Arabized term for the Temples and its application of modern identity to historical context, which the outlet argues ignores ancient Jewish connections to the land. Meanwhile, the ADL reported that during a memorial vigil in New York City, Mamdani was heckled by pro-terror protesters, despite his own anti-Israel positions.

On Rutgers' Newark campus, a former law student has filed an amended complaint alleging violations of his free speech rights. As reported by JNS.org, Yiorgos Maravelias was arrested on May 2, 2024, during a pro-Israel counterprotest. He alleges campus police removed his anti-Hamas fliers, which referred to the group as 'savages,' while anti-Israel fliers remained untouched. Maravelias also accused a Rutgers professor of challenging him over the fliers and claims administrators disagreed with his political views. Although Newark municipal prosecutors dismissed his disorderly conduct charges, Rutgers reportedly refused to drop student conduct charges. Maravelias is seeking damages and an injunction against what he describes as discriminatory practices at the university.

In case outcomes, a federal judge has allowed a discrimination lawsuit filed by Israeli-American Pokémon player Dov Aloof against The Pokémon Company to proceed. JNS.org reports that U.S. District Court Judge Hernán Vera denied the company's motion to dismiss the case on October 8, allowing all nine counts to move forward. Aloof alleges the company punished his pro-Israel advocacy while tolerating another player's anti-Israel expression. The lawsuit claims Aloof was removed from championships and subsequently banned from official competition after requesting a meeting about tournaments in Israel. The judge found the timing of the ban, issued shortly after Aloof threatened litigation, supported an inference of retaliation.

In institutional responses, a policy addressing antisemitism and bigotry has been approved in New Jersey. According to tapinto.net, the New Jersey Department of Education also recommends some resources from an organization involved in developing this policy.

I'm Rachel Adler, thank you for listening to Antisemitism Watch: Mid-Atlantic edition.

For broader coverage of antisemitism across the United States and around the world, listen to Antisemitism Watch at clockwork media dot org slash A W.

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This report was generated with AI assistance and may contain inaccuracies. Please verify important details with primary sources.

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Sources:
- jns.org: https://www.jns.org/news/u-s-news/former-rutgers-law-student-sues-claims-public-college-arrested-him-for-posting-anti-hamas-fliers
- Algemeiner: https://www.algemeiner.com/2026/10/12/how-mamdani-has-encouraged-aggression-against-jews-in-new-york-city/
- vinnews.com: https://vinnews.com/2026/10/12/omar-accuses-trump-of-political-intimidation-after-federal-search/
- ADL: https://www.adl.org/resources/article/student-protesters-drive-surge-extreme-activities-marking-third-anniversary-hamas
- tapinto.net: https://www.tapinto.net/towns/east-brunswick/articles/muslim-students-and-families-urge-east-brunswick-school-board-to-move-forward-with-islamophobia-training
- jns.org: https://www.jns.org/news/u-s-news/federal-judge-allows-israeli-american-pokemon-players-bias-lawsuit-to-proceed
- blogs.timesofisrael.com: https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/what-an-eruv-taught-me-about-fighting-antisemitism/

If you've witnessed or experienced an antisemitic incident, report it to your local Jewish Federation:

In a true emergency, call 911 first.

• Middlesex & Monmouth, NJ — Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey: Report an incident

• Greater MetroWest, NJ (Essex, Morris, Union, Somerset) — Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ: Report an incident

• Northern NJ (Bergen, Hudson, Passaic) — Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey: Report an incident

• Greater Philadelphia — Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia: Report an incident

• NYC, Long Island, Westchester & Rockland — UJA-Federation of New York: Responding to antisemitism