Staff Reports
A video surfaced depicting a former member of the Department of State under the administration of President Barack Obama expressing anti-Islamic sentiments while standing at a street vendor in New York City. The video has landed the individual in controversy. Democratic Stuart Seldowitz was captured on camera disparaging a halal vendor and making indecent comments regarding the vendor's faith. Due to the video's rapid dissemination on social media, Seldowitz was terminated from his position.
Ex-Obama Aide Harasses Street Vendor in New York for Nearly Two Weeks https://t.co/qbMsnknZv6 pic.twitter.com/RbgXv3Z46B
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Seldowitz, a former employee of the Office of Israel and Palestinian Affairs at the U.S. State Department during the Obama administration, reluctantly admitted his presence in the video while attempting to minimize the gravity of his transgressions. Seldowitz shamelessly questioned the halal vendor in one recording, "Did you rape your daughter like Mohammed?" and continued to spew vile remarks regarding the Middle East conflict.
Gotham Government Relations, with which Seldowitz was affiliated, severed ties with him in response to his abhorrent conduct, labeling it "vile, racist, and beneath the dignity of the standards" upheld by the organization. David Schwartz, the founder and president of Gotham Government Relations, even extended an offer to pro bono represent the vendor in a prospective legal proceeding against Seldowitz.
Seldowitz weakly defended himself against accusations of Islamophobia and expressed remorse for his conduct in light of the outcry. Nonetheless, Seldowitz's abhorrent conduct was promptly denounced by prominent individuals, such as New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Governor Kathy Hochul, who underscored the unacceptable nature of such Islamophobia within their municipality.
