New York Magazine is facing widespread criticism following the release of its latest cover story, "Habibi City," which has been accused of being antisemitic and dangerous. The feature, intended to celebrate Arab and Muslim culture in New York City, has drawn sharp condemnation from subscribers, journalists, and Jewish advocacy groups for allegedly marginalizing Jewish people and downplaying the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks.
Critics contend that the article, which focused on young SWANA (Southwest Asia and North Africa) New Yorkers, framed their cultural ecosystem as being "born out of the pain of the genocide in Gaza." This framing has been widely panned for omitting the atrocities of the Oct. 7 massacre, in which 1,200 Israelis were killed and 251 were taken hostage, according to reports. Instead, the piece reportedly focused on Israel's response to the attacks.
Journalist Jordana Horn, a former contributor to the magazine, announced her subscription cancellation, stating that the publication "actively seeks to negate Jewish history and identity" and is "deliberately stoking the flames of anti-Jewish sentiment." Jewish civil rights group End Jew Hatred labeled the story "dangerous" for its alleged erasure of Jewish representation and its comparison of Zionism to forms of hatred. The group criticized the magazine for defining belonging based on one's stance on Gaza, which they argue excludes Mizrahi Jews with roots in Arab countries.
AIPAC, the pro-Israel lobbying group, stated that treating Zionism as a form of hatred erases its meaning for millions of Jews, who view it as the right to national self-determination and safety. Pro-Israel activist Yardenne Greenspan criticized the magazine for dictating who qualifies as Middle Eastern, while Syrian Jew and immigration lawyer Abraham Hamra called the alleged erasure of over 120,000 New York Jews from Arabized countries an act of "exclusion dressed up as inclusion."
The controversy also extends to specific content within the feature. The article's mention of Ayat, a restaurant serving "Palestinian soul food," included a map labeling the land mass of Israel as "Discover Palestine." An anonymous consultant involved in the food article described it as a "hit piece on Jewish and Israeli chefs cloaked in middle eastern cuisine and food and culture," and alleged "shady" fact-checking practices.
Some critics have also pointed to the magazine's alleged use of the Fraktur font, a style associated with Nazi-era propaganda, on the cover, questioning its intent. The backlash comes at a time when hate crimes in New York City have reportedly surged, with a significant portion targeting Jewish New Yorkers.
Former New York writer Eve Barlow claimed she was dismissed by the magazine in 2020 for her stance against antisemitism and expressed no surprise at the current controversy, stating the magazine had "ghosted" her after she became vocal on the issue.
Tablet Magazine, a Jewish publication, described the issue as "antisemitic, absurd," and criticized its portrayal of the Middle Eastern restaurant scene. The New York Post has sought comment from New York Magazine regarding the allegations.