In an exclusive interview with The New York Post, Israel's newly appointed consul general to New York, Ofir Akunis, has sounded the alarm on what he perceives as a growing threat of radical extremism in the city. Akunis, who assumed his role in May, draws parallels between the current situation in New York and the challenges faced by major European cities.
"You know what's happening in London these days, you know what's happening in Paris these days and in Malmo, a major city in Sweden?" Akunis told The New York Post. "They are under radical Muslim occupation. There are no-go zones and I don't want to happen here in New York or in other places here in the United States."
The diplomat's concerns stem from recent incidents, including the burning of an American flag in front of the Manhattan consulate. "I'm calling on New Yorkers: wake up before it will be too late!" Akunis urged.
His warnings come in the wake of a poll conducted shortly after Oct. 7, which revealed that 57% of American Muslims believed Hamas' attack on Israel was "justified."
Akunis, who replaced Asaf Zamir, arrived during a tumultuous period marked by pro-Hamas demonstrations at major American universities. The former consul, Zamir, who's married to billionaire Maya Wertheimer, was fired by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in March 2023, leaving the consulate without full-time leadership until Akunis' appointment.
The new consul general's office is adorned with a massive image of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, drawing a stark comparison between that event and Hamas' deadly attack on Oct. 7. "Your September 11th is our October 7th. It's radical Islam," he stated to The New York Post.
Expressing deep concern about the rise of antisemitism, Akunis shared, "My late grandmother — she was born in Poland 100 years ago — [told me] what happened in . . . Europe in the '30s. I never imagined that we would see that with the young people here."
While praising local leaders such as Mayor Eric Adams, Governor Kathy Hochul, and Representatives Tom Suozzi and Ritchie Torres for their support, Akunis criticized Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer for his recent comments on Israeli leadership. "The biggest problem in his speech was that he said that Israeli prime minister is an obstacle for peace. I think that was huge mistake," Akunis remarked to The New York Post.
The consul general also voiced support for reinstating the ban on masked protests in New York, which was lifted during the COVID-19 pandemic. "You need to update the law about the masks. If someone uses the masks just to hide and they use it to scream 'Death to Israel' and 'Death to United States,' this is wrong," he asserted.
While refraining from commenting directly on the US presidential race, Akunis acknowledged that he was "watching it closely." He also addressed the sometimes strained relations between Israel and the US, particularly in light of President Joe Biden's efforts to maintain a diverse coalition.
"It's not a secret that there is difference from time to time," Akunis told The New York Post. "I appreciate the American support for Israel."
As New York City grapples with these complex issues, Akunis' stark warnings serve as a call to action for both city officials and residents to remain vigilant against the spread of extremist ideologies and antisemitism.
