Raleigh, NC Islamic Scholar Hisham Sarsour: Israel Is A Hub For Theft; Zionists Highlight Muslim Attacks On Christians In Nigeria To Divert Attention From Gaza; Would Mamdani’s Threat To Arrest Netanyahu ‘Fly’ Before October 7?

In a November 2, 2025 lecture at the Islamic Association of Raleigh, North Carolina Islamic scholar Hisham Sarsour discussed the upcoming New York City mayoral race. He questioned whether statements made by candidate Zohran Mamdani, such as his vow to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he comes to New York, would have been considered acceptable prior to October 7.

Sarsour commented on media claims that Jews would leave New York and that Israel would withdraw its business from the city if Mamdani is elected. He said that Israel’s exports to New York are primarily diamonds and goods “stolen from Africa,” adding: “Israel is very famous for being a hub for theft.” He further accused Zionists of spreading claims on social media that Muslims are killing Christians in Nigeria, which have prompted President Trump to threaten military intervention in Nigeria. According to Sarsour, these claims were intended to divert global attention from what he described as the Zionist “genocide” in Gaza.

Hisham Sarsour: “Trump is saying in Nigeria… Unless the Nigerian government does something, we are going to interfere militarily in Nigeria, because Christians are being killed [by Muslims] in Nigeria.

“I did not do enough research really, but it does not take a good thinker to know that the Zionists are also promoting this thing – to turn the attention [away] from their genocide in Gaza – on social media.

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“I will give you some of the titles in the mainstream media, forget about social media, mainstream media: If Mamdani is elected, all the Jews will leave New York City.

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“Another post: Israel exports to New York City five billion dollars each year. Of course, five billion of them are diamonds and other [goods] stolen from Africa. Israel is very famous for being a hub for theft. Any Jew who commits a crime in the U.S., in Russia – where does he go? He flees to Israel with all his stolen stuff.

“All of this is [because] of someone who is running for mayor, why? Because this guy insists: ‘I am a Muslim, I am not here to abandon my faith.’ ‘I stand by my faith. Israel is committing genocide.’ ‘If Netanyahu comes to New York, I will arrest him.’ Wow! I mean, would this fly before October 7? Would you hear someone who is running for mayor in New York saying, ‘If Netanyahu comes here, I will arrest him?'”