Former Obama White House aide Stuart Seldowitz, who was seen harassing Muslim street vendors in New York City in November, had his criminal charges dropped in what has been described as a “sweatheart” deal.
New York Judge Beverly Tatham ruled that Seldowitz must submit to a “26-week Anti-Bias Program through Queens Counseling for Change.” If he completes the coursework and does not commit any further violations against the victims’ protection orders, the hate crime charges will be dropped, according to the Manhattan District Attorney.
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Footage of Seldowitz harassing multiple street vendors of Arabic descent surfaced on X in November amid the Israel-Hamas War. Seldowitz is heard taunting the vendors, asking them if they belong to Islamic extremist groups. “Did you rape your daughter like Mohammed did?” he asks one. “No? That just shows how ignorant you are.”
“Does it bother you that some people use the Quran as a toilet? … You don’t speak English? That’s too bad. That’s why you’re selling food in a food cart, because you’re ignorant.”
“You support terrorism! You’re a terrible person.”
“If we killed 4,000 Palestinian children, you know what? It wasn’t enough. It wasn’t enough!”
“I’m gonna put big signs here that say, ‘This guy believes in Hamas.’”
his harassment of the Halal Cart vendor at 83rd and 2nd ave has been ongoing for two weeks.
NYPD has been called multiple times, local precinct stated that “there is nothing they can do because it is free speech”. pic.twitter.com/6LYL40TTFK— Layla 🪬 (@itslaylas) November 21, 2023
Seldowitz, 64, was arrested by New York police after these clips went viral. According to court records, Seldowitz pleaded not guilty to two counts of fourth-degree hate crime and stalking and one count of second-degree aggravated harassment. The records also disclose that Seldowitz was released without bail. After the videos were posted online, a consulting firm that had employed Seldowitz cut all ties with the man.
Seldowitz was the acting director for the National Security Council South Asia Directorate in the Obama administration and also served as a Security Council adviser to the president. From 1999 to 2003, he worked in the State Department’s Office of Israel and Palestinian Affairs. He has worked in the administrations of five presidents.
The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) released a statement following the court ruling. “The sweetheart deal he received from the Manhattan DA’s office is a shameful affront of our justice system and wholly unfitting of his actions,” it read.
Seldowitz told The New York Times that the vendor expressed support for Hamas, which upset him, but no evidence for this claim has been presented.
Shane Devine is a writer covering politics, economics, and culture for Valuetainment. Follow Shane on X (Twitter).
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