NEW YORK (VINnews) – A New York City Health Department employee who was first hired under former Mayor Bill de Blasio is facing scrutiny after resurfaced social media posts attributed to him included statements wishing harm on Israelis and targeting Zionists, according to screenshots circulated by the watchdog group Canary Mission.

The employee, identified as Achmat Akkad, 40, has worked for the city since 2015 and currently serves as a community coordinator with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. He confirmed by phone to the New York Post that he operated the X account in question but declined further comment.

Canary Mission Exclusive: Mamdani’s appointee has been posting virulently antisemitic, anti-American content, and yet was elected to a public-facing NYC Health Department job. pic.twitter.com/MBrL3pHQLO

— Canary Mission (@canarymission) February 15, 2026

Screenshots shared online show posts from 2021 and 2025 in which the account allegedly stated that “1 Israeli left in this world would be one too many” and that “Jews that don’t support apartheid are safe. Zionists aren’t!” The account has since been suspended, and the posts could not be independently verified.

The controversy comes amid broader criticism directed at Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration over a reported internal Health Department working group that discussed global oppression and Israel-related issues. City officials have not commented publicly on the employee’s posts, and there is no indication the mayor was involved in Akkad’s hiring.

Akkad currently earns approximately $65,000 annually, according to public salary records. Canary Mission, which monitors individuals and groups it describes as promoting anti-Israel or antisemitic rhetoric, called for accountability. City officials have not announced whether any disciplinary review is underway.