Former Obama adviser says killing of 4,000 Palestinian children 'wasn’t enough'


Jamie Goodwin
  • English
  • Arabic

Live updates: Follow the latest news on Israel-Gaza

A former adviser to Barack Obama has been recorded making Islamophobic comments to a street food seller in New York City.

Stuart Seldowitz, who was also deputy director of the US State Department’s Office of Israel and Palestinian Affairs from 1999 to 2003, was filmed berating a halal food seller in Manhattan.

Videos of the incident were shared widely on social media platforms, including X.

In one video, Mr Seldowitz, acting director for the National Security Council South Asia Directorate during Mr Obama's time as president, accuses the man of supporting Hamas.

He also tells the man: “If we killed 4,000 Palestinian kids, you know what? It wasn’t enough.”

In another video, Mr Seldowitz asks the seller if he is Egyptian, before saying he has “friends in immigration”. Mr Seldowitz then says “the Mukhabarat [Egyptian intelligence agency] wants your picture”, before taking a photograph of the man.

Mr Seldowitz told The New York Times he regretted his remarks.

“I got rather upset and I’ve said things to him that in retrospect I probably regret,” he said.

He told the newspaper he was not Islamophobic.

“I’ve worked with Muslims,” he said. “I have many people who are Muslims and Arabs and so on, who know me very well and who know that I’m not prejudiced against them.”

The biog

Marital status: Separated with two young daughters

Education: Master's degree from American Univeristy of Cairo

Favourite book: That Is How They Defeat Despair by Salwa Aladian

Favourite Motto: Their happiness is your happiness

Goal: For Nefsy to become his legacy long after he is gon

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MAIN CARD

Bantamweight 56.4kg
Abrorbek Madiminbekov v Mehdi El Jamari

Super heavyweight 94 kg
Adnan Mohammad v Mohammed Ajaraam

Lightweight 60kg
Zakaria Eljamari v Faridoon Alik Zai

Light heavyweight 81.4kg
Mahmood Amin v Taha Marrouni

Light welterweight 64.5kg
Siyovush Gulmamadov v Nouredine Samir

Light heavyweight 81.4kg
Ilyass Habibali v Haroun Baka

The specs

Engine: 4.0-litre V8

Power: 503hp at 6,000rpm

Torque: 685Nm at 2,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Price: from Dh850,000

On sale: now

While you're here
GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh149,900

HIJRA

Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy

Director: Shahad Ameen

Rating: 3/5

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Updated: November 22, 2023, 10:08 AM`