New York Magazine is facing accusations of anti-Semitism and bigotry following the release of its latest edition, titled 'Habibi City,' which aimed to celebrate the Middle Eastern diaspora in New York.
Several articles within the special issue have drawn sharp criticism. Journalist Jesse Brown alleged that the magazine's cover employed a font similar to those used in Nazi Germany. The central article, written by Palestinian writer Zaina Arafat, was scrutinized for grouping Zionism—the belief in Israel's right to exist—alongside xenophobia and Islamophobia. Arafat's piece also discussed the aftermath of the October 7th attacks, which critics argue failed to adequately acknowledge the massacre of 1,200 Jews by Hamas.
Further controversy stems from an article by Madeline Leung Coleman, which referred to Israel as "the land mass currently called Israel" and repeatedly mentioned the country's actions as "genocide" against Palestinians, without referencing the Hamas attacks. This framing has led to accusations that the magazine is erasing Israeli and Jewish identities.
Journalist Jordana Horn canceled her subscription in protest, stating, "I am not going to pay for a subscription to a magazine I’ve long loved – and written for – that actively seeks to negate Jewish history and identity." The advocacy group End Jew Hatred echoed these sentiments, alleging that the articles "allow 'Jewish identity to be erased in favor of a political loyalty test.'"
Former New York Magazine editor Mark Horowitz expressed his sadness on social media, stating, "So the current cover package on Arab and Muslim New York, a package that couldn’t find a way to celebrate one part of the city without also denigrating and erasing another, made me too sad to comment."
British historian Simon Sebag Montefiore described the coverage as a missed opportunity, saying it "leaves such a nasty, sickly taste" and that it was "strange how a celebration of the wondrous delicious eclectic scene of Arab, Iranian, Palestinian, Middle Eastern food and culture... can be turned into a screed of hate bigotry ignorance and - tellingly - power superiority over other cultures."
New York Post columnist John Podhoretz suggested the cover "sends a message: Jews aren't welcome in Mamdani's NYC."
In response to the backlash, New York Magazine issued a statement acknowledging the "range of responses" and stating they "welcome and acknowledge good faith discussion and criticism." The magazine's editorial board said the cover story was an exploration of a New York subculture making its presence felt, and that "there is an irreducible political dimension to any coverage of this subject." They added, "We have endeavored to capture the tensions and live debates that exist within these communities, including how they relate to Israel."
