Former Mamdani Staffer Retracts Claim That NYC Synagogue Attack Was Not Antisemitic

NEW YORK (VINnews) — A former staffer for Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s campaign apologized after initially claiming that an attack at a Manhattan synagogue was not antisemitic because the alleged assailant was reportedly Jewish.

Debbie Saslaw, a former senior producer for Mamdani’s campaign, made the claim in a now-deleted post on X following Friday night’s attack at Central Synagogue. She later said she had been mistaken about the suspect’s identity and acknowledged that the incident was a hate crime.

The suspect, Larry Montes, 46, of the Bronx, faces hate-crime charges stemming from the attack during a Shabbat service.

that’s what i could gather from ES. sadly it’s a hate crime and i was obviously panicked when i heard early reports but saw nothing on twitter for 4 hours or so

— deb saslaw (@butlikesrsly) August 15, 2026

Prosecutors said Montes allegedly admitted that his actions were motivated by hostility toward Jews and referred to worshippers as “swine” and “fake Jews.” He also allegedly shouted an antisemitic slur during the incident.

Authorities said Montes assaulted a 63-year-old congregant and confronted a security guard who intervened.

Saslaw later deleted her original post and said she had been “mixed up” about whether Montes was Jewish. She told the New York Post that she was mistaken and said she was “extremely disturbed” by the attack.

Saslaw’s production company, Melted Solids, has worked on political campaigns, including Mamdani’s successful mayoral campaign. She said she is no longer associated with the campaign.