By: Fern Sidman

A former campaign organizer for Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was taken into custody Friday after allegedly using her social media account to incite an attack on a New York City public high school attended by Jewish students, Israel National News reported, citing details first disclosed by The New York Post.

The suspect, identified as 27-year-old Iman Abdul, reportedly posted an image of Leon M. Goldstein High School for the Sciences in Manhattan Beach on Thursday, including its Google Maps location. According to the information provided in the Israel National News report, Abdul captioned the post: “If anyone needs a public school in NYC to attack for whatever reason … Lexus driving Israhell loving Zionists all attend here.”

NYC resident Iman Abdul takes to Instagram inviting people to attack a Jewish school.

This incitement against Jews, specifically minor children, must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. https://t.co/iaX8CPa1ZO pic.twitter.com/WDN7O3jI75

— StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) August 7, 2025

The post quickly drew widespread condemnation from Jewish advocacy groups, education officials, and local leaders, who viewed it as a direct incitement to violence against minors and school staff. The report at Israel National News noted that the school, a respected science-focused institution within the city’s public school system, enrolls a significant number of Jewish students.

In her now-deleted post, Abdul further alleged — without offering evidence — that “all” Jewish students at the school had participated in Birthright, a widely known program that sponsors trips to Israel for Jewish young adults between the ages of 18 and 26. As the report at Israel National News pointed out, high school students under the age of 18 are not eligible to participate in Birthright programs, rendering the claim factually incorrect.

Abdul’s political activities include work for progressive campaigns in New York. She served as an organizer for Ocasio-Cortez’s successful 2018 Democratic primary campaign against then-incumbent Joseph Crowley, a race that drew national attention for its upset victory. She also worked for the primary campaign of New York State Senator Julia Salazar.

While neither politician has been accused of any involvement in or support for Abdul’s actions, the Israel National News report underscored that Abdul’s prior role in prominent campaigns has amplified public scrutiny of the incident.

Iman, who states she is from Lebanon, admits to calling for an attack on the school.

Iman also works at AM PM gallery, with minors. Voice your concerns here: [email protected] pic.twitter.com/j5cpVDxDkb

— StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) August 7, 2025

The post was swiftly flagged by the StopAntisemitism watchdog group, which reposted the screenshot with a statement warning of its implications.

“NYC resident Iman Abdul takes to Instagram inviting people to attack a Jewish school,” the group wrote. “This incitement against Jews, specifically minor children, must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

Tova Plaut, a Department of Education pre-kindergarten staffer, told The New York Post — in remarks later cited by Israel National News — that the nature of the post went far beyond political rhetoric: “A map. A pin. A call to harm Jews, fellow New Yorkers, children, teachers. This isn’t just dangerous. It’s evil. Jew-hatred doesn’t stop with a threat. It escalates. We need immediate and unequivocal action.”

Abdul reportedly removed the original post after it drew public attention and controversy, claiming she had not called for harm to students but rather to “attack the school” itself. According to the information contained in the Israel National News report, this distinction was rejected by authorities, who deemed the message a direct call for violence against a specific community in a specific location.

She was arrested on Friday, less than 24 hours after making the post. Details of the charges have not yet been released, but law enforcement sources told The New York Post that the incident is being investigated as a possible hate crime.

The Israel National News report contextualized the arrest against the backdrop of a significant spike in antisemitic incidents across New York City since the October 7 Hamas terrorist massacre in Israel. The escalation of hate crimes has alarmed Jewish organizations and law enforcement alike.

City data show that in 2024, 55% of all reported hate crimes in New York were antisemitic in nature, an increase from 44% in 2023. This upward trajectory has continued into 2025.

In April, Deputy Inspector Gary Marcus, the commanding officer of the NYPD’s Hate Crimes Task Force, told reporters that antisemitic hate crimes “jump off the page as the single largest category of hate” in the city.

“At an astounding 62% of the total, well over half of all hate crimes in New York City are perpetrated against Jews,” Marcus stated.

He further emphasized that the targeting of Jewish communities — including schools, synagogues, and businesses — remains a central concern for the department, which has increased patrols and outreach to vulnerable institutions.

Leon M. Goldstein High School for the Sciences, located in Manhattan Beach, is known for its rigorous academic programs and diverse student body. While the school serves students from various backgrounds, Israel National News reported that the singling out of Jewish students in Abdul’s post created an atmosphere of fear and concern among parents, faculty, and local Jewish organizations.

Security protocols were reportedly reviewed following the incident, with law enforcement officers increasing their presence in the area as a precautionary measure. Community leaders have also been in contact with the Department of Education to ensure additional safeguards are in place.

Public officials, advocacy groups, and interfaith organizations have condemned the social media post in strong terms. Jewish community leaders have stressed the need for vigilance and swift action against public incitements of this nature, noting that verbal threats can translate into real-world violence if left unchecked.

The incident has also reignited discussions about online responsibility and the role social media platforms play in monitoring and addressing content that could incite violence. Israel National News reported that advocacy groups have renewed calls for platforms to strengthen reporting systems and for law enforcement agencies to treat such cases with urgency.

While Abdul has not publicly commented further since her arrest, the case is likely to be closely watched as it proceeds through the legal system. Prosecutors will need to determine whether the incident meets the threshold for prosecution under New York’s hate crime statutes, which carry enhanced penalties when a crime is motivated by bias against a protected group.

For New York City’s Jewish community, the arrest highlights both the ongoing threat of antisemitism and the importance of rapid responses to overt calls for harm. As the Israel National News report observed, the episode is emblematic of a troubling national trend in which antisemitic rhetoric has increasingly targeted students and schools, heightening the stakes for local law enforcement and civic leaders.