A Brooklyn woman with ties to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s 2018 campaign has been arrested for posting an Instagram story urging followers to “attack” a NYC high school she targeted for having Jewish students.
Story Highlights
- Iman Abdul, 27, was arrested on multiple charges, including making terroristic threats against Leon M. Goldstein High School.
- An Instagram post shared a Google Maps location with a caption calling for attacks on “Zionist” students.
- AOC’s campaign categorically denies Abdul was ever staff, condemning threats as “appalling.”
- The case highlights rising antisemitic threats targeting NYC schools since October 2023.
Antisemitic Social Media Threat Targets Jewish Students
Iman Abdul posted a Google Maps screenshot of Leon M. Goldstein High School for the Sciences in Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn, with an inflammatory caption.
The post read: “If anyone needs a public school in NYC to attack for whatever reason… Lexus driving Israhell [sic] loving Zionisits [sic] all attend here.”
Abdul falsely claimed the students had “all” participated in Birthright trips to Israel, despite high schoolers being ineligible for the program designed for Jewish adults aged 18-26.
Former AOC Staffer Arrested For Trying To Incite Attack On Jewish School https://t.co/evz0NkAUya via @dailycaller
— johnny dollar (@johnnydollar01) August 10, 2025
The NYPD’s 61st Precinct received reports about the threatening social media post Thursday afternoon. Community members and advocacy groups circulated screenshots of Abdul’s since-deleted Instagram story, amplifying calls for law enforcement action.
The post specifically targeted the specialized science high school, framing it through antisemitic rhetoric that echoed broader tensions following the October 2023 Israel-Hamas conflict escalation.
Swift Law Enforcement Response Leads to Arrest
NYPD officers arrested Abdul at her Brooklyn residence Friday morning on multiple serious charges. The charges include making a terroristic threat, aggravated harassment, endangering the welfare of a child, and making a threat of mass harm.
These felony-level charges reflect the severity prosecutors assign to direct calls for violence against schools, particularly when minors are involved and the targeting appears motivated by religious or ethnic bias.
The rapid police response demonstrates heightened vigilance around school safety threats in New York City. Law enforcement has increasingly applied terroristic threat statutes to social media posts that direct followers toward specific violent actions against educational institutions.
This case follows established patterns where the NYPD treats credible school threats seriously, regardless of the platform used to disseminate them.
Political Controversy Over Campaign Connection Claims
Media outlets have described Abdul as a former AOC campaign worker or youth organizer from the congresswoman’s 2018 primary race.
However, AOC’s campaign issued a categorical denial, stating: “This person was never staff on the campaign… Their comments are appalling and we condemn threats of violence without hesitation.”
The dispute centers on whether Abdul had any formal staffing role versus potential informal volunteer activities during the campaign period.
Former AOC Staffer Arrested For Trying To Incite Attack On Jewish School https://t.co/TrQWA4Rady via @dailycaller
— Dr. Kenneth Warner (@wrestlerkw7) August 11, 2025
The controversy highlights ongoing challenges progressive political figures face when individuals with any past association engage in extremist behavior.
Without documentary evidence like FEC payroll records or official volunteer rosters, the exact nature of Abdul’s campaign involvement remains disputed.
This incident may prompt campaigns to formalize clearer distinctions between official staff, registered volunteers, and informal supporters to manage future reputational risks.
Sources:
VIN News – Former AOC Campaign Worker Charged Over Threat Targeting Jewish Students
The J.Ca – Former AOC Youth Organizer Arrested for Threatening Jewish High School Students
