MTA Chairman Faces Backlash Over Accusations of “Cyber Attack” by Anti-Semitism Watchdog Group

 

Edited by:  Fern Sidman

MTA Chairman and CEO, Janno Lieber, has found himself embroiled in controversy after accusing a group combating anti-Semitism of launching a “cyber attack” in response to complaints about unauthorized ads on subway trains, as was reported on Wednesday in the New York Post.  The incident has sparked a heated exchange, drawing attention to issues of free speech, censorship, and the role of advocacy groups in public discourse.

Lieber’s remarks came in response to a complaint from the group #EndJewHatred regarding artwork on subway ads that criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza. According to the information provided in the Post report, in an email to Gerard Felitti, a civil rights attorney and activist with #EndJewHatred, Lieber expressed his dismay, labeling the group’s actions as a “cyber attack” and questioning their judgment.

“It’s ironic that End Jew Hatred, which I am sympathetic to, has set in motion what is effectively a cyber attack against MTA leadership. Very poor judgment,” Lieber wrote in the March 8 email, sparking outrage from Felitti, the Post report indicated.

Felitti, taken aback by Lieber’s response, characterized it as “really crazy,” “insane,” and “unbelievable.” The exchange underscores the deep divide and heightened tensions surrounding discussions about Israel and anti-Semitism.

The complaint from #EndJewHatred to MTA leadership highlighted concerns about unauthorized artwork covering paid advertisements, accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza, the report in the Post said. The group argued that such messages fueled anti-Semitism, which is already rapidly escalating, and created divisions within the community.

“It has come to our attention that certain individuals have unlawfully installed artwork, covering paid advertisements for businesses and spreading hate towards Israel, which in turn fuels anti-Semitism,” the email to MTA leaders stated, the Post report noted.

The group provided images of the unauthorized messages, including statements such as “Israel Bombs. USA Pays. How many kids did you kill today?” and “This is Genocide. 250 people killed each day” alongside a picture of bombed-out Gaza.

In response to the complaint, #EndJewHatred requested that the rogue messages be removed, emphasizing the harmful impact of false claims and inflammatory messages on the community, the Post said.

 

#EndJewHatred, an organization dedicated to combating anti-Semitism, called on the MTA to take swift action to remove the contentious artwork and urged increased monitoring efforts by the MTA Police Department to prevent further dissemination of the anti-Israel messages, according to the information contained in the Post report. The organization emphasized the urgency of the situation and stressed the need for decisive action.

“I trust that it will be handled with the seriousness it deserves,” stated a note from #EndJewHatred, listing Gerard Felitti as the contact person.

“It’s certainly surprising to get such an aggressive response from the MTA instead of addressing the problem,” remarked Felitti in response to Lieber’s accusation, the report in the Post said. “These ads looked like they were approved by the MTA. They were not being removed quickly enough or not at all.”

In defense of the MTA’s actions, spokesman Aaron Donovan asserted, “The MTA acts swiftly to remove hateful graffiti and fake ads and did so in this instance.” The report in the Post indicated that he highlighted that the authority had removed hundreds of unauthorized signs from the transit system.

Lieber doubled down on his criticism, alleging that #EndJewHatred had not made a genuine effort to engage in discussions about removing the offensive artwork. The exchange underscores the tensions surrounding efforts to address hate speech and the challenges faced by transit authorities in navigating contentious issues.

Hate crimes, particularly those fueled by anti-Semitism, have surged in the wake of recent geopolitical events, including Hamas’ terror attack on Israel and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The controversy surrounding the anti-Israel ads reflects broader concerns about the rise of hate speech and the need for proactive measures to combat intolerance and bigotry in society.