At the August 30, 2026 Jewish American Summit in Los Angeles, Mosab Hassan Yousef said he did not want Muslims in America, used profanity to tell Muslims to leave the United States, and told them to return to and reform the countries they came from. Audience members applauded. Critics characterized the remarks and the response as anti-Muslim bigotry; the dispute also concerns responsibility among the event's organizers, sponsors, speakers, and public commentators.
Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, former Gov. George Pataki, and some relatives of September 11 victims say Mayor Zohran Mamdani should not attend the 2026 commemoration, citing concerns about his rhetoric and associations. Mamdani says he will attend to honor victims, families, survivors, and first responders. Other elected officials and September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows say excluding the sitting mayor would politicize a ceremony meant for collective remembrance. The dispute is over the civic meaning and appropriateness of attendance, not over whether Mamdani has endorsed the September 11 attacks.
Role at the time: Senior fellow, Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft
Condemned
Responding to
Yousef's remarks and the audience applause constituted anti-Muslim hate and warranted an apology and repudiation from the summit and its sponsors.
"Why is a presumed anti-hate organization like ADL hosting professional bigots and hatemongers like Mosab Hassan and Gad Saad? Jonathan Greenblatt has a lot of explaining to do."
Why we used this label
The post directly applies strongly negative moral labels and demands institutional accountability.
Role at the time: Political livestreamer and commentator
Condemned
Responding to
Yousef's remarks and the audience applause constituted anti-Muslim hate and warranted an apology and repudiation from the summit and its sponsors.
"The answer is 100%. Yes, he does agree with that. That's why they're very excited about it."
Why we used this label
In context, Piker read a description of Yousef and Saad as professional bigots, said 'Yeah,' presented Yousef's statement, and accused Greenblatt of agreement. That amounts to condemnation, although the quoted line is directed at Greenblatt's alleged complicity.
Yousef's remarks and the audience applause constituted anti-Muslim hate and warranted an apology and repudiation from the summit and its sponsors.
"I'm trying to imagine the reaction from our media and politicians if a speaker at a 'Muslim American Summit' said, to loud applause, 'I don't want Jews in America.'"
Why we used this label
The analogy presents the statement as plainly discriminatory and exposes what Hasan argues is a double standard in the response.
Role at the time: Civil-rights advocacy organization
Condemned
Responding to
Yousef's remarks and the audience applause constituted anti-Muslim hate and warranted an apology and repudiation from the summit and its sponsors.
"We strongly condemn the Anti-Defamation League and the other sponsors of the Jewish American Summit for inviting speakers who were known to be virulently anti-Muslim extremists, including Mosab Hassan Yousef and Gaad Saad."
Why we used this label
The joint statement explicitly condemns the speakers, rhetoric, applause, and institutional platforming.
Shahana Hanif is a New York City Council member representing Brooklyn's 39th District. A community organizer born and raised in the district, she became the first Bangladeshi and Muslim woman elected to the Council. Her public work includes housing, immigrant communities, and accessibility.
Cheri Sparacio is a September 11 victim's family member who has participated publicly in debates about commemoration of the attacks. Her husband, Tom Sparacio, worked for Euro Brokers in the World Trade Center's south tower and was killed on September 11, 2001.
Christine Hong is a professor of critical race and ethnic studies at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Her scholarship addresses race, militarism, and Asian American studies, and she participates in the UC Ethnic Studies Council.
Hussam Ayloush is a civil-rights advocate and executive director of the Greater Los Angeles office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. His work includes advocacy for Muslim communities and engagement with public officials on civil rights.
Amy Mek is a political commentator who publishes on X under the name @AmyMek. Her commentary addresses Islam, immigration, security, and United States politics.
Katy Yaroslavsky is a Los Angeles City Council member representing the Fifth District. She works on municipal policy and constituent services in the district.
Lindsey P. Horvath is a Los Angeles County supervisor representing the Third District. She previously served in local government in West Hollywood and works on county policy and constituent services.
