NY Mag Celebrates Palestinian Takeover of New York: 'Habibi City' and 'Madanistan'

New York Magazine dedicated its cover story to the Arab and Palestinian culture that has taken a central place in New York, under the title 'Habibi City'. The article describes the SWANA generation, the rise of Muslim mayor Zohran Mamdani, and the cultural changes in the city, including tensions with Israelis. The article sparked outrage among some readers.

New York Magazine dedicated its cover story to the Arab and Palestinian culture that has taken a central place in New York, under the title 'Habibi City'. The article, by Zeina Arfat, describes how the SWANA (Southwest Asian and North African) generation has turned the city into a 'Middle Eastern enclave', with hipsters in keffiyehs, hijabs, a party line 'Yalla!', and restaurants that show a map without Israel. The magazine notes the rise of Zohran Mamdani, the first Muslim mayor, as evidence of the community's golden age. The article includes examples like 'Cafe Barzakh' in Crown Heights, whose owner had to clarify that an event with an Israeli was 'anti-Zionist', and an Israeli chef who apologizes for 'cultural appropriation'. The trend is described as stemming from the events of October 7 and the war in Gaza. The article sparked outrage, with criticism that it is 'ethnic cleansing of Jews' and a 'microphone for anti-Semitism'.