Emily Austin Rejects Mamdani's 2026 World Cup Event Invite Over Israel Stance

1 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jun 2

Emily Austin said she declined New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s request to co-host a FIFA World Cup event, saying the appearance would wrongly suggest an olive branch to Jewish New Yorkers.
Austin said she would have considered the role only if she believed she could shift Mamdani’s views on Israel, but instead called him “pro-terrorism” and said he had shown no remorse for comments that hurt her community.
Sam Raskin, a deputy press secretary for Mamdani, did not address the invitation directly and said the mayor “is the mayor of all New Yorkers” and will engage people across the political spectrum.
Speaking at the Manhattan Jewish Experience’s 27th annual dinner, where she received a Social Impact Leadership Award, Austin tied her decision to broader Jewish unease in New York amid rising antisemitism since Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attacks.

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