AOC Campaign Worker Arrested for Alleged Terrorist Threat Against Jewish Students at NYC High School

NEW YORK CITY – A 27-year-old Brooklyn woman, Iman Abdul, who previously served as a youth organizer for Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and New York State Senator Julia Salazar, was arrested on Friday, August 8, 2025, on charges of making a terrorist threat against Leon M. Goldstein High School for the Sciences in Manhattan Beach.

The charges stem from a social media post in which Abdul allegedly urged her 25,000 followers to “attack” the public high school due to its Jewish student population.

According to authorities, Abdul posted a screenshot of the school’s location on Google Maps via Instagram, accompanied by a caption that described the institution as a “Zionist institution” filled with “Israel-loving Zionists” and referenced students’ participation in Birthright trips to Israel. The now-deleted post reportedly encouraged violence against the school, which has an Israel Club and a significant Jewish student body among its 1,000 students. Abdul was charged with making a terroristic threat, aggravated harassment, acting in a manner injurious to a child, and making a threat of mass harm.

The New York Police Department’s intelligence unit, prompted by a tip from the watchdog group StopAntisemitism, investigated the post and arrested Abdul at her Brooklyn residence. The NYPD emphasized its commitment to addressing threats against protected communities, stating, “We take all threats of violence, especially those directed toward protected communities, with utmost seriousness.” Abdul remains in custody as legal proceedings continue.

The incident has drawn sharp condemnation from Jewish community leaders, educators, and advocacy groups, who described the post as dangerous incitement targeting minors. Miriam Goldstein, executive director of a regional Jewish advocacy group, said, “No child should ever live in fear because of their faith. This arrest sends a clear message that hate and violence will not be tolerated.” Tova Plaut, another Jewish advocate, echoed the sentiment, calling for robust legal action against Abdul’s statements.

In response to criticism, Abdul reportedly claimed in a direct message to a watchdog group that her call to “attack” was meant as a verbal critique of a “Zionist institution funded by our public dollars,” not a physical assault. However, her social media accounts, which allegedly contained additional antisemitic content and mocked police complaints, have since been removed.

Representative Ocasio-Cortez’s office issued a statement distancing itself from Abdul’s actions, saying, “We unequivocally condemn any calls for violence and support the safety of all students.” The incident has reignited discussions about rising antisemitism in New York City and the challenges faced by Jewish communities amid a reported surge in hate crimes.

The case is being closely monitored by civil rights and Jewish organizations, with calls for prosecution to the fullest extent of the law. Legal experts note that the charges, particularly making a terroristic threat, carry significant penalties, reflecting the severity of targeting a school based on its students’ religious or cultural affiliations.

17GEN4.com

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