Columbia Standard

Adeel Abdullah Mangi, nominated to be a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, is facing scrutiny after it was revealed that he personally donated thousands of dollars to an organization with anti-Semitic ties. The revelations came to light during Mangi's nomination hearing, where Republicans raised questions about his involvement with the Rutgers' Law School Center for Security, Race and Rights.

According to responses to questions for the record from Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Lindsey Graham, Mangi donated approximately $6,500 to the Center and his law firm, Patterson Belknap, donated around $13,000. The Center's director, Professor Sarah Aziz, personally invited Mangi to serve on the board of advisors. However, Aziz has been accused of consistently promoting anti-Semitic rhetoric, as stated by the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ.

Mangi, in his responses to Graham's questions, admitted to being unaware of certain events hosted by the Center. When asked about a "Pro-Hamas" event, he claimed that he was only aware of a lecture by Professor Rashid Khalidi of Columbia University. Despite being on the advisory board and his significant donations to the Center, Mangi asserts that he had no knowledge of these events. This raises concerns about his level of involvement and due diligence.

One event that drew significant criticism was the Center's sponsorship of an event titled "Whose Narrative? 20 Years since September 11, 2001" on the twentieth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Representative Gottheimer condemned the Center for hosting this event, as it included speakers with ties to terrorist organizations, such as Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Mangi, again, claimed to be unaware of this event.

The revelations surrounding Mangi's involvement with an organization that promotes anti-Semitic views and hosts controversial events have caused alarm among lawmakers and the public. The Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ's statement regarding Professor Aziz's promotion of "vile anti-Semitic propaganda" further underscores the concerns surrounding Mangi's nomination.

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad, affiliated with one of the speakers at the 9/11 event hosted by the Center, has been responsible for victimizing Jews, Muslims, and Christians across the Middle East. This association raises serious questions about Mangi's judgment and suitability for a position on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

As the confirmation process continues, it remains to be seen how these revelations will impact Mangi's nomination and whether further investigations will shed light on his knowledge and involvement with the Rutgers' Law School Center for Security, Race and Rights.