A New York City Department of Health employee is facing criticism after old social media posts resurfaced in which he reportedly supported the idea of Israelis being removed from the planet. Screenshots shared by watchdog groups and circulated to reporters show the comments date back several years and have generated renewed attention. This occurs while the agency is under scrutiny for its internal Global Oppression and Public Health Working Group.
Screenshots posted by Canary Mission show posts from the handle @AchmatX containing statements targeting Israelis and Zionists. Critics cite the images as evidence of extreme anti-Israel rhetoric associated with a city health department employee.
Staffer Identified and Employment Details
According to the New York Post, the posts were traced to Achmat Akkad, a community coordinator at the Department of Health, and Akkad confirmed he ran the X account in question. The outlet reported that the account has since been suspended, that Akkad was first hired by the city in 2015 and joined the Health Department in 2017, and that his listed salary is about $65,000 a year.
Where This Fits Into a Wider Controversy
The resurfaced posts come amid ongoing scrutiny of the agency. Earlier reports highlighted a Department of Health Global Oppression and Public Health Working Group, whose materials reportedly described the situation in Gaza as an ongoing genocide. That language drew criticism from elected officials and Jewish advocacy organizations, as reported by Algemeiner.
Calls for Oversight
Some lawmakers are treating the newly surfaced posts as more evidence that the department is drifting into political advocacy. Rep. Elise Stefanik called on HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to investigate the Health Department, and House Speaker Mike Johnson publicly criticized the agency's focus.
Health Department Response
The Health Department and the mayor's office did not provide detailed comment to reporters in the initial round of coverage. The agency's public materials describe a mission to protect and promote the health of more than eight million New Yorkers, outlined on the NYC Health Department website.
Legal and Oversight Questions
Officials and watchdogs are expected to review whether any staff activity exceeded the bounds of employee-led education and constituted prohibited political advocacy using city time or resources. Depending on the findings, potential responses could include internal personnel actions or investigations by city oversight agencies or federal authorities.
