Phylisa Wisdom, the executive director of New York City's Office to Combat Antisemitism, has come under fire for her previous comments critiquing a social media post from then-mayoral candidate Andrew Yang that condemned Hamas's rocket attacks on Israel. In a 2021 tweet, Wisdom expressed her disapproval, stating she was 'floored' by Yang's stance that New Yorkers should support Israel against terrorism. This response raises questions about her current role in combating antisemitism, as it may reflect a bias in her approach towards issues of Jewish vulnerability and the broader context of Middle Eastern conflicts.

The backlash against Wisdom's past comments is further compounded by her admitted indifference towards Jewish practices, as highlighted by her remark about missing Yom Kippur. This revelation is particularly controversial, considering her official position requires a sensitivity to Jewish cultural and religious matters, especially in a city with a significant Jewish population. Such statements could alienate members of the community she is tasked with protecting, reflecting on the challenges of navigating complex religious and social identities in public service roles.

As incidents of antisemitism in New York City have seen a troubling increase, nearly tripling in recent years, the efficacy of Wisdom's leadership is now under scrutiny. The juxtaposition of her previous comments with the alarming rise in antisemitic incidents highlights the need for a nuanced understanding and leadership in addressing such issues, raising concerns about the effectiveness of her office under her guidance.